UDSM Student Shines as Tanzania Excels in Huawei ICT Global Competition 2024/2025
By Jackson Isdory, CMU
Tanzania has once again earned global recognition for its growing digital talent, thanks to a remarkable performance by a team of students including from the University of Dar es Salaam at the Huawei ICT Competition 2024–2025 Global Final, recently held in Shenzhen, China.
In a powerful demonstration of technological acumen and academic excellence, a team comprising students from three leading Tanzanian institutions—University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), University of Dodoma (UDOM), and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT)—secured the position of first runners-up in the fiercely contested Practice Competition category.
This achievement underscores Tanzania’s rising prominence in the global digital economy and its commitment to cultivating high-level ICT skills.
Among the standout team members was Mr. Joseph Bethuel Msuya, a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Engineering at UDSM College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT). Alongside his teammates, Joseph distinguished himself in the Network Track, one of four core categories in the Practice Competition, which also included Cloud, Computing, and Ascend AI Tracks.
The 2024–2025 edition of the Huawei ICT Competition attracted more than 200,000 participants from over 100 countries. Beyond the Practice Competition, it featured rigorous challenges in Innovation and Programming, all designed to assess participants’ theoretical understanding and hands-on proficiency against global ICT industry benchmarks.
The Tanzanian team competed in the Network Track, one of four core categories in the Practice Competition, alongside the Cloud Track, Computing Track, and Ascend AI Track. The broader competition also featured innovation and programming challenges, each designed to rigorously assess participants’ theoretical knowledge and practical ICT capabilities in line with global industry standards.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Prof. Baraka Maiseli, Principal of the College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT), expressed his pride on this.
“This accomplishment is a testament to the strength of our academic programmes and our students’ commitment to excellence in a globally competitive environment. Joseph’s performance reflects the high calibre of talent that UDSM is proud to nurture”, said Prof. Maiseli.
He added: “As digital transformation accelerates globally, the key to sustainable progress lies in developing skilled ICT professionals. Huawei’s initiatives, such as the ICT Competition and the ICT incubators at UDSM, are instrumental in not only educating students but also equipping them to become leaders and innovators in the digital economy.”
An intensive 8-hour practical challenge
The Huawei ICT Competition is a globally respected platform that emphasizes teamwork, practical ICT skills, and theoretical knowledge. The Network Track, in particular, challenged the Tanzanian team with an intensive 8-hour practical exam, using Huawei’s advanced simulation technologies. The challenge tested not only their technical prowess but also their collaborative problem-solving under pressure.
Dr. Augustina Alexander, UDSM’s Director of Internationalisation, Convocation, and Advancement, highlighted the broader impact of this success.
“Joseph Msuya’s success is a powerful example of what international collaboration, strategic academic partnerships, and dedicated mentorship can achieve. It affirms that UDSM’s vision of producing globally competitive graduates is not merely aspirational—it is being realized”, said Dr. Alexander.
She also emphasized the value of global exposure: “Participation in such high-level competitions aligns with UDSM’s strategic agenda on internationalisation. Our students gain not just technical skills, but also cross-cultural and professional insights that are invaluable in today’s interconnected world.”
Reflecting on his journey, Joseph Bethuel Msuya shared his thoughts with humility and gratitude: “Being part of this global competition was a transformative experience. The preparation, the teamwork, and the pressure tested and sharpened my skills in ways I never imagined. I’m deeply thankful to UDSM and Huawei for making this opportunity possible.”
Empowering youth with industry-relevant skills
From an industry perspective, Mr. Dong Xuefeng, Huawei Tanzania Country Director, congratulated the team and reaffirmed the company’s long-standing commitment to developing ICT talent in Africa.
“We are proud to see Tanzanian students excel on the global stage. Huawei remains dedicated to empowering youth with industry-relevant skills through initiatives like the ICT Competition. These young talents represent the future of Africa’s digital transformation”, he said.
He added: “At Huawei, we believe that talent is the cornerstone of digital progress. Supporting students like Joseph is part of our broader mission to build robust ICT ecosystems in countries like Tanzania.”
As one of the world’s premier platforms for fostering innovation, collaboration, and ICT capacity building among university students, the Huawei ICT Competition has significantly enhanced UDSM’s global reputation.
This achievement underscores UDSM’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, reinforcing its role in shaping a digital future for Tanzania and beyond. It is a powerful example of how Tanzanian youth, with the right support and opportunities, can compete—and succeed—on the world stage.