NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and Italy have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in science, research, and digital innovation, as Nairobi accelerates its ambition to become a regional technology and innovation hub.
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau said the partnership will focus on applied research, technology transfer, and skills development to support Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Digital Economy Agenda.
Kabogo spoke after holding a high-level meeting with Italy’s Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, where the two sides discussed practical collaboration in artificial intelligence for public services, smart cities, climate and energy technologies, and agritech innovation.
“Our discussions focused on practical partnerships that will deliver measurable impact to our citizens,” Kabogo said, adding that the cooperation would link universities, research institutions, and industry in both countries.
Kenya is seeking to leverage research-driven innovation to improve public service delivery, modernise urban systems, and strengthen climate resilience, areas where Italy has strong applied research capacity.
Under the new framework, the two governments agreed to accelerate joint research programmes, expand academic and researcher exchanges, and promote skills development aligned with emerging technologies.
Kabogo said the focus will now shift from policy dialogue to implementation, with the establishment of joint technical working groups and collaborative projects.
“We are committed to moving from dialogue to implementation through joint technical working groups and collaborative projects that will drive innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth,” he said.
The partnership comes as Kenya positions digitalisation and science-led innovation as central pillars of economic growth, governance reform, and job creation, particularly for young people.
The government has prioritised artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, and research commercialisation as part of efforts to strengthen competitiveness and attract investment.
Italy, a long-standing development and trade partner, has increasingly expanded its engagement in Africa through research collaboration, higher education partnerships, and technology cooperation.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Shaukat Abdulrazak, Special Envoy on Technology Philip Thigo, Italy’s Ambassador to Kenya Vincenzo Del Monaco, and Prof. J.W. Khamasi, Acting Principal of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST), among other officials.
Officials said the cooperation is expected to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance innovation ecosystems, and support evidence-based policymaking in both countries.
As Kenya advances its digital economy agenda, the government says partnerships anchored in applied research and skills development will be critical to translating innovation into tangible socio-economic outcomes.
