LG Recognises Top Service Technicians from Seven African Countries at Skills Olympiad

Competition in Nairobi tested appliance technicians on fault diagnosis, repairs, problem-solving and customer service.

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 28, 2026 — LG Electronics (LG) East Africa has brought together service professionals from seven African countries in Nairobi for a regional skills competition aimed at recognising technical excellence and strengthening after-sales service capabilities.

The LG Electronics East Africa Service Skill Olympiad attracted participants from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Zambia and South Sudan for practical assessments testing their ability to diagnose faults, carry out repairs, solve technical problems and deliver effective customer support.

The initiative comes as countries continue to prioritise skills development and closer alignment between training programmes and industry requirements. The International Labour Organization has highlighted persistent gaps between the skills workers acquire and those employers need, underscoring the importance of practical training that responds to changing workplace demands.

Kenya’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector recorded 193,156 graduates across registered institutions in 2022, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection’s Skills Training and Labour Institutions Survey 2025. The scale of training highlights the importance of connecting technical education with opportunities for workers to apply and continuously develop their skills in the workplace.

In the consumer electronics industry, this includes equipping service professionals to work with increasingly sophisticated home appliances, entertainment systems and air-conditioning technologies while maintaining high standards of customer care.

The Olympiad assessed participants in four categories: Media Solution, Home Solution, Residential Air Conditioner and Moment of Truth. The latter focuses on the initial installation and customer experience, when an appliance is installed and its suitability for the customer’s needs can be assessed.

The assessments combined practical technical tests with evaluations of customer interaction, consultation and service delivery.

The event forms part of LG’s global Service Olympics programme, which began in 2002 and expanded internationally in 2018 to incorporate customer interaction and consultation alongside technical assessments.

“Investing in our people and strengthening their technical capabilities are important to our long-term business success. By bringing service professionals together from across our markets, we recognise outstanding talent and strengthen the capabilities needed to deliver reliable service to our customers,” said Sisung Jin, Chief Financial Officer at LG Electronics East Africa.

The competition also highlights the role of after-sales support in building lasting customer relationships. The quality of service customers receive after purchasing a product can influence their confidence in the product and the wider retail and distribution network.

“We recognise that the customer experience extends beyond purchasing a product. Skilled technicians and reliable after-sales support are central to building customer trust and loyalty. Initiatives such as the Service Skill Olympiad help reinforce the standards and expertise required to deliver that experience consistently across our markets,” said Rakesh Singh, CEO at Opalnet.

Top-performing participants were recognised for their technical competence, problem-solving abilities and commitment to service excellence. Awards included certificates, trophies, medals and LG products such as refrigerators, televisions and washing machines.

Beyond recognising individual achievement, the Olympiad provides a platform for service professionals from participating countries to demonstrate their capabilities against common standards. It also reinforces the importance of continuous learning in maintaining service quality as consumer technology advances.