Skills on Wheels: Driving Digital Inclusion Across the Globe

The fast development of digital technologies is bringing great benefits to individuals, businesses, and society. To ensure that no one is left behind in the digital world, it is crucial to ensure that everyone has the requisite skills to thrive.

Huawei’s skills on wheels initiative aims to bridge the skills gap by providing free training to those most in need. Mobile classrooms that can be driven into the heart of communities break down barriers for people who might otherwise lack access and opportunities to attend training in digital skills.

Working with global and local partners, our three skills on wheels initiatives - DigiTruck, SmartBus, and SmartTruck - have empowered 93,000 people in 18 countries with tech-driven skills that are essential in today’s world.

DigiTruck

The DigiTruck is a solar-powered mobile classroom converted from a used shipping container.

Equipped with laptops, smartphones, an Internet connection, and 20 workstations, each truck can reach remote communities and provide training even when there is no Internet connection or power supply. Typical courses cover training in basic digital skills such as using computer software and soft skills such as starting an online business and writing a resume for online job searches. Other topics taught include coding and robotics.

Since 2019, Huawei has so far reached more than 17,000 people with DigiTruck projects as of June 2024.

DigiTruck projects

Kenya: Launched in 2019, the Kenya DigiTruck project has so far toured 32 counties and trained 5,201 people, delivering more than 151,000 teaching hours. Learn more here.

Ethiopia: Launched in November 2022, 20 trainers have provided training for 2,617 students, with a focus on coding and robotics.

Uganda: Launched in April 2024, the Uganda DigiTruck project is still underway and to date has provided training for 5,904 people.

Senegal: Launched in July 2023, the Senegal DigiTruck has so far provided training for 3,620 young people, including training in robotics. 56% of participants are women.

Digital Skills training on the Senegal DigiTruck

Tanzania: Launched in August 2024, the Tanzania DigiTruck aims to reach 5,500 young people across ten regions and has so far provided training for 2,489 people, 52% of whom are women.

France: Launched at the end of 2021, the France DigiTruck focuses on reaching young unemployed people and senior citizens, and has so far provided training for more than 6,300 people across 50 cities. Learn more here.

Digital Bus, Thailand: Launched in 2022, the Huawei Digital Bus in Thailand provides free training for children and adults on digital skills, covering topics such as green energy, cybersecurity, and ICT skills. To date, 1,680 people have received training.

SmartBus

The Huawei SmartBus is an interactive, mobile digital classroom designed to teach children aged 10 to 15 about how to navigate the online world safely through interactive lessons and games.

With real-world examples, children are taught how to handle issues like cyberbullying, data privacy, and fake news.

SmartBus projects have been run in nine countries in Europe, reaching nearly 75,000 people.

Learn more here.

SmartBus projects

Belgium and Luxembourg: Launched in 2019, the SmartBus has visited 24 schools and provided training for 2,640 students in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Portugal: In 2020, the SmartBus visited 65 schools and provided training for 11,000 students.

Netherlands: In 2020, the SmartBus visited 21 schools and provided training for 2,260 students.

Spain: Between 2020 and 2022, the SmartBus visited 166 schools and provided training for 45,000 students.

Norway: Between 2021 and 2022, the SmartBus visited 23 schools and reached 287 students.

Sweden: In 2023, the SmartBus visited 3 schools and provided training for 516 students.

Italy: In 2023, the SmartBus visited 16 cities and provided training for 4,500 students and 556 adults. Learn more here.

Iceland: Launched in 2021 and still ongoing, the SmartBus has toured 48 schools and provided training for 5,304 students.

Finland: Launched in 2021 and still ongoing, the SmartBus had visited 78 schools and provided training for 6,394 students.

SmartTruck

In today’s increasingly online world, this digital divide can exclude older people from vital services offered.

The SmartTruck provides training in using technology and mobile apps with a view to raising the quality of life of older people and empowering them to access digital services.

SmartTruck projects

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Launched in 2023, the Saudi Arabia SmartTruck has so far provided training for 6,400 people. Learn more here.

Older citizens learn digital skills on the SmartTruck in Saudi Arabia

Peru: Launched in 2024, the Peru SmartTruck has so far provided training for 2,066 people.