NAIROBI, Kenya– Kenya is intensifying its commitment to an innovation-driven economy, with the government unveiling strategic plans to reinforce the country’s start-up landscape through targeted investments in capacity building, policy reform, and stakeholder collaboration.
Speaking at the opening of the Kenya Start-up Festival, Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) CEO Tonny Omwansa outlined a renewed government agenda that places start-ups at the heart of national development.
“We are going to work together to fast-track initiatives and programs that make sense and carry the energy to drive meaningful change,” said Omwansa.
“We are uniting ecosystem players, start-ups, corporates, investors, academia, government, and development partners to acknowledge shared challenges, celebrate progress, and spark new partnerships.”
The festival, which convenes a cross-section of leaders from industry, academia, and government, aims to reflect on a decade of innovation and catalyze future collaboration.
The two-day event also signals the state’s broader ambition to cultivate a robust innovation ecosystem anchored on public-private synergy.
Omwansa revealed that KeNIA is exploring the launch of a centralized innovation portal designed to streamline start-up engagement with government programs.
The platform would allow entrepreneurs to submit ideas directly for potential support, funding, or mentorship.
This move aligns with KeNIA’s broader mandate of integrating innovation into national priorities and creating a thriving environment for start-ups, particularly those led by young innovators.
The agency continues to position itself as a facilitator of innovation policy and a key architect of Kenya’s knowledge economy.
Backed by the Ministry of Education, KeNIA is spearheading a multi-sectoral conversation that includes banks, insurers, logistics providers, and universities, further signaling Kenya’s commitment to building a future-ready economy rooted in homegrown solutions.
