The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) is celebrating a major milestone with the training of over 1,800 innovators in commercialization strategies.

Additionally, KeNIA reported it has empowered more than 90 institutions with the creation of official Intellectual Property (IP) policies.

This news comes ahead of the KeNIA Innovation Academy’s virtual relaunch today afternoon, marking a new chapter in its mission to foster a culture of innovation in Kenya.

The online event boasted a distinguished guest list, including the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts, Ababu Namwamba.

He was joined by representatives from various partner organizations who were to collaborate with KeNIA on future capacity-building programs.

“The core principle of this program is to equip government officials with a deeper appreciation for innovation,” said Tonny Omwansa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KeNIA during the virtual launch event. “We aim to guide them on mainstreaming innovation efforts, establishing relevant policies, and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation practices to measure progress and optimize institutional performance.”

The KeNIA Innovation Academy aligns with the government’s recent launch of a virtual university, providing a comprehensive learning ecosystem for young people, researchers, and innovators.

“There’s a global shift happening,” said Victor Owade, Counsellor for Academic Institutions and Executive Programs at the WIPO Academy. “Intellectual property is no longer a secondary concern, it’s becoming central to the success of economies.”