Government Launches New Initiative to Empower Youth through Innovation

The government, via the State Department for Higher Education and Research, has introduced an ambitious new program designed to boost innovation and entrepreneurship among students in higher education institutions. This initiative, funded by the UK government and named the “Research to Commercialisation (R2C) Programme,” aims to turn cutting-edge research into successful business ventures that create substantial job opportunities for young people and foster economic growth.

At the Kenya National Innovation Agency (Kenia) Commercialisation and Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders (CEIL) Summit 2024 in Mombasa, Principal Secretary (PS) for Higher Education and Research, Beatrice Inyangala, outlined the program’s objectives. The summit, themed “Youth, Jobs, and Wealth Creation through Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” served as a platform for discussing the program’s impact and future potential.

Inyangala highlighted that the R2C Programme is designed to strengthen the innovation ecosystem within educational institutions. This includes revising commercialization policies, establishing institutional funding mechanisms, and providing entrepreneurship training to Vice Chancellors. She emphasized the need for educational institutions to adapt to the rapidly evolving job market, shaped by emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

“The job market is continuously evolving, and as educators, we need to ensure our graduates are prepared for these changes,” Inyangala stated. She underscored the importance of integrating 21st-century skills such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration into educational programs to better prepare students for future challenges.

To date, the R2C Programme has supported 30 institutions and 30 innovators, helping them secure over Ksh 50 million in funding from various partners. The initiative has also trained 60 faculty members, who have subsequently educated 1,300 participants about the research-to-commercialization process. Additionally, 14 Vice Chancellors have received training aimed at fostering a culture of innovation and leading entrepreneurial universities.

At the summit, Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Ismail Maalim, announced a new collaborative initiative with Kenia called ‘Who’s Next.’ This program will focus on nurturing creativity across Kenya’s 47 counties, starting with six key areas: dance, music, fashion and design, comedy, and content creation. Maalim emphasized that the Kenya National Innovation Agency is working closely with the government to advance innovation and entrepreneurship through various initiatives, including the development of the Kenya National IP policy, which is crucial for protecting and commercializing young innovators’ ideas.

“The IP policy helps protect innovations and creative work, allowing young innovators to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses, thereby creating jobs and generating wealth,” Maalim noted.

Other notable initiatives include the “Presidential Innovation Challenge and Award,” which identifies and supports innovative ideas from youth across the country, and the “Creative Economy” program, which aims to harness and monetize young people’s talents.

Kenia’s CEO, Tonny Omwansa, also addressed the summit, highlighting efforts to attract funding for innovation. He discussed strategies to build frameworks that encourage private sector and donor support for innovators. Omwansa noted that past programs funded by Kenia’s partners have generated Ksh 78 million, demonstrating the potential for investment in innovative solutions.

“An innovator provides a solution that can scale and generate future revenue, which makes it an attractive opportunity for investors,” Omwansa explained.

The CEIL Summit 2024 aimed to drive significant changes in Kenya’s research and entrepreneurial ecosystems while showcasing current efforts and future opportunities for institutions, industries, and innovators.