Speaking at the Pwani Innovation week on 28^th March 2022 was Mr. Ben Roberts – Chair, KEPSA ICT and Youth Sector Board, in a panel discussion on public-private sector partnerships for economic resilience and regional growth. Mr. Roberts advised the participants on the importance of ensuring value for money when it comes to investments and especially for Public-Private Partnerships. He explained that unfortunately most projects accrue huge loans and become difficult to pay them up. However, to curb such eventualities, it is important to involve all parties at the very beginning.

Other panellists in the discussion included Mr. Frank Leyman – Head of International Relations Bosa – Digital Transformation; Eng. Richard Appiah Otoo – Chief Manager, Ghana Water Company Ltd; Mr. Anwar Ahmed – ICT County Chief Officer at Mombasa County Government.

The four-day event, which was held at Swahilipot Hub in Mombasa, involves such and more enlightening topics on the digital economy and innovation. The event received a significant number of attendees including innovators, policymakers, corporations, funders, researchers and other stakeholders embracing the digital economy and innovation.

“People have ideas, but they miss understanding the value of their ideas. There is a need to learn how to monetize those ideas,” Said Hon. Joe Mucheru – Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT, Innovations and Youth Affairs while officially opening the Pwani Innovation Week. Mr. Mucheru also encouraged the innovators to boldly step up their game as technology and innovation have brought disruption which is changing many things. He called the young people to take advantage of such forums as they can network with key stakeholders that can support their innovations.

Among other delegates attending the event was Mr. Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to Kenya, who advised the young innovators to be bold and bring out those ideas and innovations as there are many investors ready to support them.