Startups Called To Participate In Kenya Innovation Week

The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) has announced a call for exhibitors and delegates for the Kenya Innovation Week (KIW). The inaugural event will run from 6th to the 10th of December 2021 at the Kenya School of Government – Lower Kabete.

Speaking during the stakeholder’s breakfast meeting held at Capital Club East Africa on Thursday, the Agency’s CEO Dr. Tonny Omwansa urged, “innovators with innovative products and services to attend the event as this will expose them to investors, partners, and potential customers”.

Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, the PS, Department of University Education and Research – Ministry of Education encouraged innovators and Kenyans, in general, to attend the KIW as it aims to strengthen the research and commercialization practices for greater socioeconomic impact.

“Innovation is not a technology issue but a broad one as it involves other things that can add value to the society,” Nakubkwesi said. He also lauded efforts by the 24 partners who have come together and committed to changing the innovation landscape in Kenya.

KIW will offer an opportunity for startups, corporates, universities and government agencies to showcase their innovations by exhibiting. The expos will involve both physical and virtual booths. Over 100 local and international speakers are expected to take part in the event.

It will incorporate four summits namely; Skills and Talents for Innovation, Technology and 4th Industrial Revolution Summit, Commercialization summit, and the Startup Kenya summit

As a buildup to the week, KeNIA has held 20 pre-events including bootcamps, innovation camps, workshops, webinars, hackathons and start up challenges meetings across the country.

Known as the Silicon Valley of Africa, Kenya has one of the most thriving innovation ecosystems in Africa. It is the home to world-renowned innovations such as mobile money transfer service Mpesa and crisis mapping tool Ushahidi.