• This year’s event is themed “Innovation for all: crafting a tech-driven future of boundless opportunity.”
•Nairobi, Digital Economy and Innovation CECM Mike Gumo said the ‘Let’s Make Nairobi Work’ manifesto emphasises creating a city characterised by growth and opportunity.
Image: HANDOUT
The Nairobi City County has launched the second edition of the InnovateNBO Tech Week with an aim to make the city a living African realm of innovation across Africa.
This year’s event is themed “Innovation for all: crafting a tech-driven future of boundless opportunity.”
The Tech Week follows last year’s first edition which sought to create economic opportunities for startups and the tech community at large.
In 2023, the inaugural InnovateNBO tech week attracted more than 1,500 delegates, over 50 startups that attracted deals, over 40 event speakers, and a fully-fledged hackathon.
It also attracted 10 international startups that exhibited.
Through the InnovateNBO 2024, the county government targets to showcase cutting-edge innovations, generate significant economic activity and facilitate job creation across all sectors.
It also targets to position Nairobi as a leading tech hub as well as strengthen the local startup ecosystem.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Digital Economy and Innovation CECM Mike Gumo said the tech week is a celebration and a testament to the county’s commitment to fostering an environment where ideas can flourish and transform into tangible solutions that improve life.
He added that the ‘Let’s Make Nairobi Work’ manifesto emphasises creating a city characterised by growth and opportunity.
“The Governor’s vision is clear; to create a smart Nairobi, decentralise services, provide quality infrastructure, deliver affordable, quality healthcare, improve public transport and create a conducive environment for economic growth,” Gumo said.
“InnovateNBO Tech Week marks a significant milestone in our journey to position Nairobi as a leading hub of tech innovation. Over the years, our city has emerged as a vibrant ecosystem for technology and entrepreneurship.
“We have also witnessed the rise of ground-breaking startups, development of transformative technology, and establishment of a community that thrives on creativity and innovation.”
Gumo noted that InnovateNBO is a platform for collaboration and investments empowering innovators and promoting entrepreneurs.
Image: HANDOUT
On his part, Governor Sakaja’s adviser on Innovation and Digital Economy George Musyoka said the event will bring together the brightest minds and the most innovative ideas all with the goal of driving the city forward.
“Nairobi has long been recognised as a living African city in the realm of innovation. The launch of the Innovate NBO Tech Week 2024 is a testament to the hard work, dedication and visionary look of our communities and the county government at large,” he said.
“Today we stand at the forefront of a digital revolution where the power of tech is reshaping the way we live, work and interact.”
“Through Innovate NBO, the innovation and digital economy sector of Nairobi City County aims to showcase the remarkable talent and cutting-edge solutions that are developed right here in Nairobi.”
Association of Startups and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) CEO Mercy Kimalat called on collaboration embodied by a lot of intentionality by tech ecosystem stakeholders.
“As an association, our call to action is to find a way, as an ecosystem, to hold talks on policy matters. For us to build an innovative and inclusive ecosystem, we must have the right policy and regulation frameworks,” she said.
“We still have conversations on the Startup and Robotics Bill and we still need voices so that no one is left behind. Let us take the word collaboration and make it practical.”
“As ASSEK, we have committed our members to lead different tracks because they have diversified experience and connections to different stakeholders that we can pull in to make sure that Innovate NBO can be a flagship product that other counties can embody.”
Notable impacts from the first edition included tech talent training, the creation of local smart city solutions and the digitisation of the Jua Kali sector.
Last year, Governor Sakaja noted that the county had plans to set up hackerspaces for youths at City Hall.
Speaking on the progress thus far, Gumo said the time needed to build the spaces will take some time adding that at the moment, the county has created a common space where more than 100 youth in the space can convene.
“We are currently using the Nairobi Charter Hall, located between the County Executive and the County Assembly,” Gumo said.
“From last year, as a county, we also adopted 10-20 innovations that were showcased during the first edition of InnovateNBO.”
“A lot of them are in the process of being onboarded. There were a lot of trials here and there and we were also checking on the need basis depending on the sectors and how far have they grown.”
Gumo also said they learnt a lot from the first edition but are hopeful of a much bigger and better community-based tech week with more partners who are now on board as well as more participants attending the event.