The ICT Authority of Kenya is inviting applications from suitable recent graduates for the prestigious Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) Cohort X Intake for the 2025/2026 cycle. This flagship government initiative is aimed at nurturing a new generation of ICT professionals who will play a critical role in shaping Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.
The PDTP has over the years provided a platform for hundreds of young Kenyans to gain hands-on training and mentorship in the dynamic fields of Information and Communication Technology. It is a highly competitive programme that combines practical work experience in government and private sector organizations with career mentorship, knowledge-building, and personal development.
Introduction to the Programme
The Presidential Digital Talent Programme, commonly known as DigiTalent, is a transformative 12-month structured internship initiative. Its core mission is to develop, prepare, and empower young ICT graduates to take up professional roles that emerge within the ICT sector as well as in other related industries.
The internship is carefully designed to provide a blend of learning, practical application, and mentorship. Participants are strategically deployed to public institutions and selected private sector partners where they apply their academic knowledge in real workplace settings. They are also exposed to ongoing innovations in ICT, thus bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical industry expectations.
Through DigiTalent, interns receive:
- Practical work experience in specialized ICT domains
- Mentorship from seasoned professionals
- Professional networks and peer learning opportunities
- Exposure to government and private sector ICT operations
- Guidance in refining career goals and building employability skills
The programme is a critical contributor to Kenya’s digital economy strategy, positioning ICT as an enabler of socio-economic growth. By joining DigiTalent, participants become part of a growing community of innovators and problem-solvers dedicated to public service delivery and national transformation.
Programme Structure and Opportunities
The 2025/2026 Cohort X of DigiTalent is open to talented young Kenyans who have graduated within the last two years or are awaiting graduation with proven academic excellence. Interns will be deployed across five main areas of specialization, each offering a unique pathway to career growth:
- Network and Digital Infrastructure (150 opportunities)
- Software Development and Artificial Intelligence (100 opportunities)
- Information Security (50 opportunities)
- Multimedia (Graphic Design) and Digital Marketing (50 opportunities)
- Data Analytics (50 opportunities)
Each area has been crafted to meet the growing needs of Kenya’s ICT ecosystem while equipping graduates with globally competitive skills.
Detailed Internship Opportunities by Specialization
1. Network and Digital Infrastructure (150 placements)
This stream is dedicated to the backbone of ICT systems: the physical and virtual infrastructure that supports data transmission, connectivity, and digital operations.
Interns selected for this category will engage in:
- Designing, implementing, and managing local and wide-area networks within government ministries, counties, departments, and agencies (MCDAs).
- Supporting deployment of internet, intranet, and cloud-based connectivity services.
- Configuring and maintaining routers, switches, servers, and wireless access points.
- Conducting troubleshooting and fault diagnosis of communication systems.
- Assisting in the rollout of government digital services that depend on secure and reliable infrastructure.
- Supporting digital inclusion projects that extend ICT connectivity to marginalized areas.
- Participating in infrastructure audits, maintenance planning, and capacity-building for sustainable ICT use.
This opportunity is best suited for graduates who have specialized in telecommunications, network engineering, and related fields, with a strong foundation in infrastructure management.
2. Software Development and Artificial Intelligence (100 placements)
This stream focuses on creating innovative software solutions that address both public and private sector challenges. With the growing demand for digital platforms, applications, and AI-driven solutions, interns in this category will gain experience in software engineering and intelligent systems.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing and maintaining software applications for public sector digital services.
- Participating in coding, debugging, and system testing processes.
- Collaborating in the design and deployment of AI models that improve service delivery.
- Supporting automation initiatives within government workflows.
- Learning agile project management methodologies and version control practices.
- Assisting in creating user-friendly, secure, and scalable software solutions.
- Exploring integration of emerging technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and robotic process automation.
Interns under this stream will be exposed to real-world coding environments, innovation labs, and collaborative software development teams, giving them a strong competitive edge in Kenya’s expanding tech ecosystem.
3. Information Security (50 placements)
The rapid digitization of government and corporate services has amplified the need for secure systems. The Information Security stream prepares interns to become cybersecurity professionals capable of protecting Kenya’s critical digital assets.
Responsibilities for participants will include:
- Assisting in developing, implementing, and monitoring ICT security policies and frameworks.
- Supporting penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security audits.
- Monitoring and responding to cyber incidents in government ICT systems.
- Learning best practices in data protection, encryption, and authentication systems.
- Participating in awareness campaigns to promote cybersecurity hygiene among government staff.
- Assisting in compliance initiatives with global and local data security standards.
- Contributing to research and innovation in cybersecurity resilience.
Interns placed in this stream will receive mentorship from national ICT security professionals and will play a role in strengthening Kenya’s defenses against emerging cyber threats.
4. Multimedia (Graphic Design) and Digital Marketing (50 placements)
The growing importance of digital communication has created demand for professionals with strong skills in visual design and digital marketing. This stream is tailored for graduates with a creative flair and technical skills in content development.
Intern responsibilities will include:
- Designing digital communication materials including graphics, infographics, animations, and video content for government campaigns.
- Supporting the development of branding strategies for ministries, counties, and agencies.
- Assisting in the management of official websites, social media platforms, and online campaigns.
- Conducting basic digital marketing research and monitoring analytics to measure campaign impact.
- Collaborating with communication teams to develop visually compelling stories that resonate with the public.
- Contributing to content creation strategies that support Kenya’s digital transformation narrative.
This opportunity exposes interns to the intersection of ICT and creative industries, preparing them for careers in multimedia, communications, and marketing technology.
5. Data Analytics (50 placements)
Data-driven decision-making has become a cornerstone of modern governance and business management. The Data Analytics stream equips interns with practical skills to extract insights from structured and unstructured data to inform policy and strategy.
Responsibilities will include:
- Collecting, cleaning, and processing datasets from government and private sector sources.
- Developing dashboards, reports, and visualizations for decision support.
- Applying statistical and analytical methods to assess performance and impact.
- Supporting policy teams with evidence-based insights.
- Participating in big data and open data initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency.
- Learning and applying tools such as SQL, Python, R, and advanced Excel.
- Contributing to projects that leverage analytics to improve service delivery and resource allocation.
Interns under this stream will have the opportunity to be directly involved in shaping data-driven governance while also building skills highly sought after in the global market.
Internship Objectives
The overarching goal of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme is to enhance the employability of ICT graduates while also building capacity in Kenya’s public sector. Specifically, the internship aims to:
- Develop a skilled ICT workforce capable of contributing to Kenya’s digital economy.
- Prepare graduates to seize employment opportunities in ICT and related industries.
- Enhance workplace readiness by providing structured mentorship and real-world exposure.
- Strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors in ICT innovation.
- Support the government’s agenda of delivering efficient digital services to citizens.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Must have graduated and attained First or Upper Second-Class Honors (or the equivalent) from a recognized institution in the last two years (from January 2023).
- If awaiting graduation (by December 2025), applicants must provide a stamped and signed recommendation letter from their university, clearly indicating the class to be awarded (First or Upper Second-Class Honors).
- Must be a recent graduate in ICT-related fields including:
- BSc. ICT
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Telecommunication Engineering
- Systems or Software Engineering
- Computer Engineering
Candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge in their core area of specialization. Technical competency may be assessed prior to interviews.
- Must be a Kenyan youth aged between 21 to 29 years and currently unemployed.
- Must not have undertaken any other internship programme in the government.
- Must be willing and ready to be deployed to any government ministry, county, department, or agency within Kenya’s 47 counties, working full time from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Females, persons with disabilities, and graduates from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Guidelines
Applicants are required to submit their applications online through the official DigiTalent portal. The process involves completing an application form, attaching relevant academic documentation, and providing contact details for communication.
Candidates may also be subjected to interviews or assessments to confirm their technical knowledge and suitability for placement. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Programme Impact
Since its inception, the Presidential Digital Talent Programme has consistently contributed to national human capital development by:
- Enhancing employability of ICT graduates who transition into full-time employment or entrepreneurship after internship.
- Driving innovation in the public sector by leveraging youthful creativity and digital skills.
- Creating a pipeline of ICT professionals who are ready to take up leadership roles in Kenya’s digital economy.
- Strengthening Kenya’s positioning as a regional ICT hub by aligning with Vision 2030 and the Digital Economy Blueprint.
By participating in this programme, graduates not only gain practical skills but also contribute to Kenya’s journey toward digital inclusivity and enhanced public service delivery.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, 15th September 2025, at midnight. Late applications will not be considered.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are invited to apply through the official DigiTalent application link provided.
