The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) has launched its 10-year Master Plan which reveals its pillars that present opportunities for collaboration, and key initiatives by the organisation.
The plan also introduces new courses at KeNIA Innovation Academy and feature Practical Showcasing and Pitching by 2023 Presidential Innovation Award Finalists.
Speaking during the event, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Social Protection at the National Assembly, Alice Ng’ang’a who is also the Thika Town MP acknowledged that the Innovation Master Plan is not just a roadmap, but a beacon guiding the nation towards a future where innovation is at the heart of national development.
She noted that the plan is designed to harness the power of innovation across all sectors of the economy including human capital, access to finance, access to markets, infrastructure and policy.
“Our gathering today is pivotal as we unpack the journey to implement the Kenya 10-Year Innovation Master Plan, launched by His Excellency President Dr. William Ruto in November 2023 during the Innovation Week,” recalled Ng’ang’a.
Ng’ang’a also expressed her confidence and support for the Kenya Innovation Week (KIW), an annual event by KeNIA that brings stakeholders to showcase and celebrate the progress of the National Innovation Ecosystem which is set to happen from 25th -29th November 2024.
“I am thrilled to announce that we are in full support of KeNIA’s plans to host the Kenya Innovation Week 2024. I specifically championed support to the innovation agency through the supplementary budget, to ensure innovation week planning can start. I am very convinced that it is a valuable initiative for society,” said Ng’ang’a.
The chairperson further called for the addition of a new category for public sector innovations that would enhance government responsiveness to service delivery and support the Presidential Innovation Award, a platform that has shown commitment to fostering a culture of innovation in all sectors of the society and aimed at creating about 387,000 innovation related jobs.
“Today’s meeting is more than just an event; it is a call to action, an invitation to all of you to play a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s innovation landscape,” she urged, adding that stakeholders’ involvement and collaboration are crucial as they work together towards a more innovative and prosperous Kenya.
Ng’ang’a encouraged stakeholders to forge partnerships that would drive their innovation agenda and create a future where Kenya would stand tall as a global leader in innovation.
At the same time, KeNIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Tonny Omwansa, said through partnerships with private sectors, there was a need to build up capacity and constitutional levels and use data in policy and regulatory environments to foster a more innovation-friendly environment.
“In one year, more than 10 universities adopted the entrepreneurial education approach and the Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders (CEIL) Summit, scheduled to take place from the 29th and 30th of August 2024, which will greatly help in capacity building,” said the CEO.
He appreciated the existing partnerships with various bodies including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Presidential Innovation Award, and Kenya Innovation Week among others, announcing that KeNIA is still seeking more partnerships and collaborations to increase innovation thereby creating more job opportunities for the youth and creating wealth.
By Zainap Mong’are
