Nairobi – The Kenya Innovation Week 2023, marked as the Commonwealth Edition, is scheduled to be held in Nairobi from November 27 to December 1, 2023. This significant forum will assemble leaders from the Commonwealth, including government officials, business leaders, and academic representatives. A delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Secretary General Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, will participate in the event, themed ‘Innovating to Unlock Our Common Wealth’. The Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi will host the event, focusing on the Commonwealth’s innovation ecosystem.
According to Kenya News Agency, this event is a celebration of Commonwealth ingenuity and growth. He emphasized that the Kenya Innovation Week would highlight the innovation system of the Commonwealth, including its key actors, growth potential, challenges, and opportunities for innovators. Ruto expressed his delight in welcoming Commonwealth countries to Kenya, emphasizing the potential of innovation in achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. The event will also see the launch of Kenya’s 10-year innovation masterplan.
A key feature of the week will be the Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards, where winners will receive a trophy, a certificate, and £3,000 prize money, along with ongoing support and opportunities to participate in high-level forums. Commonwealth Secretary-General Scotland highlighted the crucial role of sport in the Commonwealth’s development and stressed the importance of innovation for creating a prosperous, equitable, and resilient society. She encouraged Africa to maintain or accelerate its innovation momentum, noting the continent’s progress, talent, and innovation.
Additionally, applications are now open until December 10, 2023, for the Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellowship Programme. This program aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge among cybersecurity experts from Commonwealth countries in Africa and influence the Commonwealth Secretariat’s policy work.
Cabinet Secretary of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Ababu Namwamba, expressed his enthusiasm for the event during a media breakfast at the Edge Convention Centre. He emphasized the Commonwealth’s role in connecting and amplifying talents and innovations across its 56 member states. Namwamba highlighted the government’s commitment to innovation, viewing it as a central driver of the current administration’s agenda.
The Kenya Innovation Week will feature a variety of activities, including thematic summits, panel discussions, keynote addresses, fireside chats, workshops, networking events, and exhibitions. The event will also include Commonwealth-focused activities such as a Ministerial roundtable on science, technology, and innovation, and participation from the Commonwealth Youth Council and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network. The Commonwealth Secretariat continues to weave innovation into its work and actively seeks collaborations with partner organizations.