Kenya Innovation Week 2023 is invigorated through a strategic collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The event, titled Kenya Innovation Week 2023 – Commonwealth Edition kicked off on November 27 and will be ongoing till December 1, 2023.

Distinguished attendees include Commonwealth leaders, government officials, business and academic representatives, along with a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat led by the Secretary-General, the Retired Hon. Patricia Scotland KC.

This year’s edition marks the debut of the Commonwealth component, operating under the theme ‘Innovating to Unlock Our Common Wealth.’

The event, hosted at the Edge Convention Centre, delves into the key actors, linkages, growth potential, challenges, and existing opportunities within the Commonwealth innovation system.

Additionally, the week has witnessed the launch of Kenya’s 10-year Innovation Masterplan by Kenya’s President, William Ruto who expressed enthusiasm for the participation in the week’s activities, emphasizing its role in celebrating Commonwealth ingenuity and growth.

He stated, “The event will not only showcase Kenya’s brilliant innovations but also spotlight the key actors and linkages within the Commonwealth innovation system.”

During the innovation week, winners of the Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards were announced, each recipient receiving a trophy, certificate, and £3,000 in prize money.

The winners will also gain ongoing support for their work and the opportunity to engage in high-level forums.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General highlighted the significance of innovation in fostering a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient society. She underscored the Secretariat’s commitment to creating opportunities for advancement, especially in light of the progress, talent, and innovation across the continent.

The week has featured various activities, including thematic summits, panel discussions, keynote addresses, fireside chats, workshops, awards and networking events.

Exhibitions from participating organizations, groups, and countries are still running throughout the event.

Commonwealth activities encompass a Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on Science, Technology, and Innovation, as well as involvement from the Commonwealth Youth Council and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network.

In an effort to enhance the skills of citizens from Commonwealth countries, applications are open for the Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellowship program, supporting cybersecurity experts in knowledge exchange, partnership building, and policy influence until December 10, 2023.

Cabinet Secretary CS for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Ababu Namwamba said, “Kenya is a big leader in the space of innovation…there is a very strong commitment from government to deploy innovation as the key pivot in the economic development of our country. At the ministry, we have embraced innovation and everything is innovation driven.”

Innovation’s role in development is becoming integral across all teams within the Commonwealth Secretariat, fostering collaborations with partner organizations.

Follow hashtag #KIW2023CommonwealthEdition to engage in conversations around the tech extravaganza.