We are thrilled to be participating the Kenya Innovation Week 2024 – Africa Edition. The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), together with partners organizes the Kenya Innovation Week (KIW), an annual flagship event which gathers visionaries, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and global innovation industry leaders to evaluate, celebrate, and enhance the evolution of Kenya's National Innovation Ecosystem. To this end, the forum serves as a platform to facilitate impactful discussions and networking and sparks innovative approaches to tackle Africa's urgent challenges for socio-economic growth.
According to the Global Innovation Index 2023 by World Intellectual Property Organization, Kenya is ranked 100th among the 132 world economies and 8th among the 28 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although Kenya is in the top ten regionally, there is a need to improve on its global innovation performance.
Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) is a flagship innovation forum for the country run by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports through the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA). It seeks to convene key stakeholders to assess, celebrate and energize the progress of the National Innovation Ecosystem under which the national priorities of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030 are advanced. A vibrant National Innovation Ecosystem provides a supportive environment for generating jobs and creating wealth, as well as improving the global competitiveness of Kenyan knowledge economy. Further KIW serves as a platform for showcasing cutting edge innovations in the country
“Kenya is currently experiencing high levels of unemployment, with majority of the youth being either under-employed or unemployed. According to the Kenya Institute for Public Policy and Research; approximately 500,000 to 800,000 youth enter the job market each year. However, the economy has been unable to provide sufficient employment opportunities”
This year's edition is dubbed Kenya Innovation Week 2024 - Africa Edition and is set to shine a spotlight on Kenya's dynamic and rapidly evolving innovation landscape and its significant role in developing the African continent. The event, scheduled from 25th to 29th November 2024 at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, will bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. It aims to be a powerhouse of inspiration, networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration opportunities to foster research-led commercialisation of innovative ideas, with the potential to significantly impact the contribution of Kenya's innovation ecosystem to the African innovation landscape.
Access to capital continues to be a major challenge to the growth and sustainability of innovations in the national innovation ecosystem. According to the Kenya 10-year Innovation Master Plan there is about a USD19.3 billion formal MSME finance gap in Kenya
With a focus on driving sustainable development and creating innovative solutions for some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, this event provides a unique opportunity to network, learn, and contribute to shaping the future of innovation.
Key highlights of KIW 2024 - Africa Edition Include:
Inspiring keynote speakers and industry experts.
Hands-on sessions and interactive summits.
Exhibits showcasing cutting-edge innovators.
Networking sessions for building valuable connections.
Panels and discussions on pressing innovation topics.
Kenya’s thriving Innovation Ecosystem Plays a significant role in achieving the ambitious goals of the African Union Agenda 63 of cohesiveness and collective prosperity for the African people. In light of this, the Kenya Innovation Week – Africa Edition will embrace a Pan-African perspective and will lead impactful discussions on enhancing the innovation ecosystems for the advancement of Africa. It will feature solution-driven discussions and networking opportunities, will spark innovative approaches to tackle Africa’s urgent challenges for socio-economic growth to improve the quality of life for Africans. The KIW 2024 – Africa Edition will inspire and engage young people who are naturally energetic, brimming with ideas and looking to contribute towards socio-economic development to come up with innovations that will propel Africa to the next economic frontier.
The Youth Cafe is working to enrich an innovative ecosystem but also to foster a collaborative environment where innovative ideas can flourish. .