Innovation and technology are essential components of economic growth and development. They drive productivity, competitiveness, and job creation across all sectors of the economy. Our country Kenya, like many other developing countries, is striving to improve its innovation and technological capabilities as a means of achieving sustainable development and a better standard of living for its citizens.
In this article, we explore the role of Kenyan universities in driving innovation and technology, with a particular focus on their potential to stimulate economic growth and development.
The State of Innovation and Technology in Kenya
Kenya is one of the fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa, with a GDP growth rate of 5.7% in 2019. Despite this, however, the country’s technological infrastructure is still relatively underdeveloped compared to more advanced economies. For example, the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index 2019 ranked Kenya 86th out of 141 countries in terms of its technological readiness. This indicates that there is still quite a lot of room for improvement.
The challenges
One of the major challenges facing innovation and technology in Kenya is a lack of investment in research and development. According to the UNESCO Science Report 2021, Kenya spent only 0.8% of its GDP on research and development in 2019, compared to the global average of 1.7%. This underinvestment in R&D has limited the country’s ability to develop and adopt new technologies, slowing its economic growth and development.
Well, the government has tried. Maybe just not enough…
To address this issue, the Kenyan government has launched various initiatives to promote innovation and technology, such as the Kenya Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country into a newly industrializing middle-income country by 2030. The government has also established a number of agencies and organizations to support innovation and technology, such as the Kenya National Innovation Agency, the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
The Role of Kenyan Universities in driving innovation and Technology
1. Driving Innovation
Kenyan universities have a critical role to play in driving innovation and technology, both as hubs for research and development and as sources of innovative ideas and technology transfer. Many universities in Kenya have established research centers and institutes focused on various fields, such as biotechnology, agriculture, and energy, which are critical areas for driving economic growth and development.
2. Fostering Collaborations
Kenyan universities have been successful in fostering collaborations between academia and industry players, facilitating the transfer of technology from universities to the private sector. For example, Strathmore University’s iLabAfrica has partnered with various companies to develop and commercialize innovative technologies, such as a mobile app for managing livestock and a platform for managing agricultural supply chains.
3. Producing skilled graduates ready to take on the industry
Universities in Kenya have also been successful in producing graduates with strong entrepreneurial skills and a culture of innovation. Many universities have entrepreneurship centers and incubators that provide training, mentoring, and funding for students and faculty looking to launch innovative startups.
This has led to the emergence of numerous successful startups in Kenya, such as M-Kopa Solar, which provides solar power to households and small businesses, and Ushahidi, a platform for crowd-sourced crisis mapping.
Strategies for enhancing the role of Kenyan universities in driving innovation and technology
To further enhance the role of Kenyan universities in driving innovation and technology, several strategies can be adopted. First, building stronger university-industry partnerships is essential for facilitating the transfer of technology from academia to industry. Universities can establish joint research projects with companies, share their research facilities, and provide training to industry personnel on the latest technologies.
Second, encouraging greater investment in research and development is crucial for promoting innovation and technology in Kenya. The government can provide tax incentives and funding opportunities for private sector companies to invest in R&D, while universities can establish research centers focused on critical areas for economic growth and development.
Third, providing more funding and resources for university-driven innovation and technology is essential for scaling up successful innovations and startups. The government can establish venture capital funds to invest in university-driven startups, while universities can provide incubation centers and seed funding for early-stage ventures.
Fourth, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within universities is vital for producing graduates with strong entrepreneurial skills and a passion for innovation.
Universities can establish entrepreneurship centers and incubators, offer courses on entrepreneurship and innovation and encourage faculty and students to participate in hackathons and startup competitions.
Finally, supporting the commercialization of university-driven innovations is essential for realizing the economic benefits of innovation and technology. Universities can establish technology transfer offices to manage intellectual property and negotiate licensing agreements with industry partners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, innovation and technology are critical drivers of economic growth and development, and Kenyan universities have a crucial role to play in promoting innovation and technology in the country.
By serving as hubs for research and development, sources of innovative ideas and technology transfer, and incubators for startups, Kenyan universities can contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and development.
By implementing strategies such as building stronger university-industry partnerships, encouraging greater investment in R&D, providing more funding and resources for university-driven innovation and technology, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within universities, and supporting the commercialization of university-driven innovations, Kenya can unlock its full potential as an innovation-driven economy.
