Kenya Launches Presidential Innovation Award

The Kenyan government will launch the Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) today to enhance entrepreneurial capabilities among innovators nationwide.

Ababu Namwamba, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts, and Sports, will launch the award program at the Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret, marking the conclusion of the Devolution Conference.

PIA seeks to acknowledge and reward outstanding innovators in the country, particularly in sectors aligned with national priorities, which include food security and agriculture, digital transformation, healthcare, entertainment, gaming, as well as climate action and green energy.

The program, a module of the Talanta Hela programme, encompasses the identification of the most promising innovative concepts and solutions nationwide. These notable innovations will be showcased at the Kenya Innovation Week, offering a platform to highlight their potential.

The award recipients will benefit from various opportunities, including an Investor Readiness Workshop designed to prepare finalists for pitching their ideas effectively. A select group of top innovators per category will have the chance to participate in an Angel Investor Workshop & Cocktail during the Kenya Innovation Week, facilitating networking with potential supporters.

At the close of the Kenya Innovation Week, outstanding winners from each county, along with the top three winners per category, will be acknowledged.

The Presidential awardees will be publicly recognized during the Jamhuri Day Celebration. Additionally, finalists will receive grants to aid them in advancing their products and realizing their commercial potential.