Kenya To Host Kenya Innovation Week: Commonwealth Edition

The upcoming Kenya Innovation Week 2023: Commonwealth Edition, slated for 27 November to 1 December 2023 in Nairobi, is poised to be a landmark event in the field of innovation and development. Set to take place at the Edge Convention Centre, this inaugural Commonwealth Edition, themed Innovating To Unlock Our Common Wealth, will see a gathering of global leaders, government officials, business and academic representatives, and a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Secretary-General the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC.

President William Ruto extended a warm welcome to said participants, emphasising the event’s role in celebrating Commonwealth ingenuity and growth. “The event will not only shed light on the brilliant innovations coming out of Kenya but also on the Commonwealth innovation system’s key actors, potential for growth, challenges, and opportunities for innovators,” President Ruto stated.

A significant feature of the week will be the announcement of the winners of the Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards. Each winner will receive a trophy, a certificate, prize money of £3,000, ongoing support for their work, and the chance to participate in high-level forums.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, highlighted the crucial role of sport in the Commonwealth’s development and the importance of investment in innovation. “There is already great progress and tremendous talent across Africa. The Secretariat will create opportunities to accelerate this momentum,” she said.

In addition to these events, applications are now open for the prestigious Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellowship programme, aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and influencing policy work in the field of cybersecurity.

The five-day event will feature thematic summits, panel discussions, keynote addresses, fireside chats, workshops, and networking events, along with exhibitions from various participating organizations, groups, and countries. Commonwealth activities include a Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on Science, Technology, and Innovation, and participation from the Commonwealth Youth Council and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network.

The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), a key organiser of the event, continues to be a significant enabler of socio-economic development through innovation in the country. The agency is responsible for coordinating, promoting, and regulating the National Innovation System, working with partners to strengthen interrelationships between actors to promote innovation and enterprise development.

This event marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards becoming a hub of innovation and development, not just in Africa but across the Commonwealth.

For more information or to confirm attendance, interested parties are encouraged to contact the media relations team at comms@innovationagency.go.ke or chelimo@conceptshub.ke (0721 58 6644).