President William Ruto has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to tackle unemployment and foster sustainable job opportunities. Speaking during the launch of the 4th Kenya Innovation Week in Nairobi, the President underscored Kenya’s growing reputation as a global innovation hub.
“Kenya is now a leading destination for global venture capital. Harnessing these opportunities is essential to ensuring we create adequate, high-quality jobs for our youth,” President Ruto stated.
Scaling Up Innovation Investments
The government is scaling up investments in innovation to empower startups and foster youth-driven enterprises. President Ruto announced that the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) would be moved from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports to the Office of the President. This shift, he noted, would enhance collaboration and resource mobilization.
To support emerging businesses, the President launched a KES 1 billion Start-Up Fund and pledged to propose an additional KES 500 million for KeNIA. “At the moment, limited resources are preventing many ideas from reaching commercialization. By increasing funding, we can bridge this gap and unlock Kenya’s full innovation potential,” he said.
Advancing Key Sectors
The President emphasized the role of innovation in addressing challenges in health, agriculture, and security. Government funding for Kenya has risen from KES 18 million in 2022 to KES 200 million in 2024, accelerating Kenya’s 10-Year Innovation Masterplan. Initiatives like the Research-to-Commercialization Accelerator have supported 18 enterprises, raising over KES 100 million.
Strengthening Global and Regional Partnerships
Kenya is enhancing its innovation ecosystem through initiatives such as the Kenya-India Innovation Nexus and the Africa Innovation Agencies Network. These partnerships aim to unlock new markets and deliver transformative solutions across the continent.
President Ruto urged stakeholders—including government bodies, the private sector, and academic institutions—to intensify efforts to promote innovation. “Together, we can build an ecosystem that positions Kenya as a leader in job creation, investment attraction, and sustainable growth,” he concluded.
