H.E. Mirko Giulietti, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Kenya Visits Don Bosco Tech Africa

On 15 July 2026, Don Bosco Tech Africa (DBTA) welcomed the Ambassador of Switzerland to Kenya, H.E. Mirko Giulietti, to its headquarters in Nairobi for a courtesy visit that reinforced the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing quality skills development, innovation, and youth employment across Africa.

Welcoming the Ambassador, Br. John Njuguna, Deputy Director of Don Bosco Tech Africa, described the visit as a great honour for the organisation. He acknowledged Switzerland’s longstanding commitment to skills development, highlighting the Dual Apprenticeship PropelA programme supported by Swisscontact at Don Bosco Tech Kenya, Karen Campus. Br. John noted that the visit presented an important opportunity to deepen collaboration with Switzerland and explore new partnerships that will further strengthen skills development initiatives for young people across the region.

In his remarks, Ambassador Mirko Giulietti congratulated Don Bosco Tech Africa for its continued efforts to empower young people through quality TVET programmes. He commended the success of the Dual Apprenticeship programme, noting that it is producing highly competitive trainees. The Ambassador noted that discussions are already underway to expand the programme into additional trades, including hospitality. He expressed optimism about extending the initiative with Don Bosco beyond Kenya to other countries across Africa. He also underscored the critical role of public private partnerships in creating sustainable opportunities for young people, noting that one of the Embassy’s key responsibilities is to build stronger links between public institutions and the private sector.

During the visit, Don Bosco Tech Africa presented its work of empowering young people through quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and pathways to decent employment across 35 countries in Africa. The discussions highlighted the organisation’s achievements, flagship initiatives, and opportunities for future collaboration in advancing youth skills development and employment.

Ms. Magdaline Morijoi, Trade and Science Counsellor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya, commended Don Bosco Tech Africa for its contribution to youth empowerment and expressed interest in identifying practical areas for future collaboration. She highlighted the Cleantech Innovation Competition, an annual initiative in Kenya co-sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi and the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC). The competition targets early-stage green technology ideas developed by university and TVET students across Kenya. Ms. Morijoi observed that the competition presents an excellent opportunity for Don Bosco trainees to showcase innovative cleantech solutions that address environmental challenges while contributing to Kenya’s transition to a green economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Ambassador’s delegation also included representatives from KLAPP and ProScola Ed Tech platforms, who showcased their e-learning platforms featuring the integration of artificial intelligence. The presentations opened discussions on how emerging digital technologies can further enhance teaching, learning, and skills development within the TVET sector.

At the conclusion of the visit, Ambassador Mirko pledged to connect Don Bosco Tech Africa with Swiss partners working within the skills development ecosystem. The commitment is expected to open new avenues for collaboration and knowledge exchange that will support the advancement of technical and vocational education and training across Africa. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of Don Bosco Tech Africa and the Embassy of Switzerland to creating stronger partnerships that equip young people with relevant skills for the future. By bringing together expertise from government, development partners, educational institutions, and the private sector, such collaborations continue to expand opportunities for youth, strengthen TVET systems, and contribute to sustainable development across Africa.