Kenya Advances Digital Innovation Agenda Through KeNIA and British Council Alliance

The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA)  recently hosted a meeting with Vice Chancellors from various institutions to discuss the future of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Training Program (ELTP) and national innovation efforts. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak.

In his remarks, Prof. Abdulrazak emphasized the importance of leveraging data to inform resource mobilization for research and commercialization. He called for a strengthening of linkages between universities and industry, as well as the establishment of a dedicated fund to support innovative research. The Principal Secretary also urged institutions to contribute data to the national Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) repository, which is crucial for shaping national priorities and advocating for increased research funding, with a goal of allocating at least 1% of GDP to the sector. He concluded by highlighting the role of science diplomacy in positioning Kenya as a key player in the global innovation landscape.

A key highlight of the meeting was the signing of an Operational Alliance Strategy between KeNIA and the British Council. This strategic partnership is aimed at supporting the commercialization journey of 11 newly onboarded institutions through targeted capacity building and the implementation of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs).

The Vice Chancellors from the first two phases of the ELTP also provided progress reports, showcasing notable innovations and commercialization efforts. Examples included Cooking Gel and SEKU honey from South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), Chelalang Seeds by Egerton University, and Smart Mavuno by KCA University. The initiative aims to make all academic and research institutions more entrepreneurial, with support from partners like the British Council and The RISA Fund.