Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said that technology, youth and partnerships are the three key factors that will shape the future of the world and drive development into the next century.
Speaking on Tuesday during the opening of the Huawei LEAP Job Fair 2025 at the University of Nairobi, Kindiki stressed that technology is no longer optional but central to development.
“The next century is going to be driven by tech,” he said.
“If we are going to empower young people, tech must be at the centre of solving problems, including jobs and income-generating opportunities.”
The DP noted that young people will be a dominant force in shaping global progress and Africa stands at the core of this shift.
“Africa today is the youngest continent with an average age of 19 years. Since young people are going to be at the centre, then Africa lies in the square of influencing the future of the world,” he said.
In his remarks, Kindiki emphasised that governments can no longer work in isolation and that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are now critical to solving national challenges.
“We have come to accept the reality that the public sector alone is not adequate. We need the private sector.”
He cited the Nairobi Expressway as a successful example of PPP in Kenya.
“It would not have been possible if there was no Public-Private Partnership. Private resources were used for what would ordinarily be a government responsibility.”
Kindiki revealed that a similar approach will be used in building a dual carriageway to western Kenya. Work is set to begin in the next two weeks.
“This project could not happen if we stuck to traditional public-private divisions. We’re using PPP to create jobs and provide infrastructure like roads, water, and energy,” he said.
He added that the model must be extended beyond ICT to all sectors.
“We’re reflecting on how the public sector can enable the private sector to converge our interests and speed up development.”
The Deputy President proposed that the private sector should also be allowed to raise funds through bonds, similar to how governments do and use the protection of governments to raise money for public infrastructure.
He insisted that stakeholders must start to rethink the old ways of doing things
“It is no longer feasible to do things the way we have always done them. If we want jobs, solutions in health, water, energy—we must think outside the box,” Kindiki stated.
