Driving Innovation and Youth Empowerment: Highlights from Kenya Innovation Week 2024

Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) 2024 Africa Edition, held from November 25 to 29 at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, celebrated Kenya’s pivotal role in advancing Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Organized by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) in collaboration with government, private sector, and academic stakeholders, the event focused on fostering collaboration, sustainability, and innovation. Aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063, the week brought together policymakers, innovators and industry leaders to showcase groundbreaking solutions aimed at driving economic growth and addressing continental challenges.
The Ajira Digital Program played a key role at the event, spotlighting its mission to equip Kenyan youth with digital skills and create employment opportunities. During the Innovation Ecosystem Summit, Gracemary Muchiri, Program Manager at KEPSA, highlighted Ajira’s achievements, including expanding Kenya’s online workforce from 600,000 in 2019 to 2.4 million in 2023 and digitizing 482 courts through the Judiciary Digitization Pilot, which created over 3,000 jobs. Through free training and mentorship at Ajira Youth Empowerment Centers, the program continues to connect skilled youth with businesses, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship while contributing to Kenya’s leadership in digital transformation across Africa.