State banks on research to drive economic growth.

Kenya hopes to ride on science, research and innovation to drive growth, create jobs and compete globally, Science, Research and Innovation PS Shaukat Abdulrazak has said.

Speaking at a media briefing on the forthcoming  Africa Technology Leadership Conference (ATLC) 2026 set for Nairobi, Abdulrazak said Kenya should move beyond importing technologies and instead become a producer and exporter of home-grown innovations.

The conference, set for October 22-23 will bring together more than 3,500 policymakers, researchers, investors, diplomats and industry leaders to discuss how science and technology can drive economic transformation across the continent.

Abdulrazak said Africa's long-term prosperity depends on its ability to generate knowledge, commercialise research and build institutions that support innovation.

"Kenya seeks not merely to host a conversation about technology but to help shape Africa's science, research, innovation and technology agenda," he said.

The PS said sub-Saharan Africa spends only 0.38 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on research and development, far below the global average of 1.92 per cent.

The region also has just 88 researchers per one million people compared with more than 4,300 in Europe and North America.

"These are not just statistics. They reflect our capacity to develop medicines, improve agricultural productivity, strengthen industries and respond to emerging challenges," he said.

Abdulrazak urged African governments to invest more in research institutions, laboratories and scientific talent while creating policies that support innovation and commercialisation.

According to the PS, Kenya has a strong foundation to lead Africa's innovation agenda.

The Economic Survey 2026 shows the economy grew by 4.6 per cent in 2025 with the information and communication sector expanding by 4.8 per cent, highlighting technology's growing contribution to economic growth.

The Global Innovation Index 2025 ranks Kenya 19th globally in ICT services exports and 27th in venture capital deals relative to the size of its economy.

However, the country ranks 124th in human capital and research, underscoring the need to strengthen scientific capacity.

"We must strengthen the entire innovation pipeline, from education to research, from research to invention, from invention to intellectual property, and from enterprise to domestic, regional and international markets," he said.

He also called for closer collaboration between universities, research institutions, industry and investors, noting that much valuable research never reaches the marketplace.

He urged the private sector to view research funding as a long-term investment in productivity and competitiveness rather than philanthropy.

The conference will focus on technology leadership, financing, institutional capacity and responsible innovation, including cybersecurity and data governance.

Global business consulting firm–Invigence Limited CEO, Kenneth Rotich, said Kenya and Africa as a whole needs to move from policy discussions to implementation.