State committed to supporting innovation, says President

The government is creating a conducive environment that supports innovation in the country, President William Ruto has said.

He said programmes such as the Presidential Innovation Challenge and Award, the Hustler Fund, the Youth Enterprise Fund and the Women Fund play a pivotal role in providing funding for ideas, talents and other ventures.

Additionally, he said, the government’s investments in infrastructure, including projects like Jitume Labs and the transformation of Youth Empowerment Centres into innovation hubs, will further bolster the innovation ecosystem.

“As a government, we are committed to innovative mind-sets across all facets of our administration,” he said.

Speaking during the Innovation Challenge and Awards ceremony at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, he said the government is keen on expanding opportunities for Kenyan youth.

“The Presidential Innovation Award stands as a testament to our commitment to supporting young people and fostering their entrepreneurial spirit, thus contributing to job creation and wealth generation,” he said.

He noted that the 2023 pilot programme, which was part of the government’s Talanta Hela initiative, focused on youth, their talents and ability to create impactful solutions for society. “Innovative ideas create start-ups and the knowledge economy creates limitless possibilities,” he said.

To further enhance innovation, he said the government will adopt tools like the Global Innovation Index to measure and report the country’s progress accurately.