On 2^nd to 6^th October 2023, the Ajira Digital Program was at the Pwani Innovation Week event that officially opened on 3^rd October 2023 at the Swahilipot hub in Mombasa. The innovation week’s theme was Sailing Beyond Borders: Empowering Youth in the Digital Economy for a Sustainable Future, which was a great opportunity to showcase how digital and digitally-enabled work steers innovation and the creation of work for young people in Kenya and at the same time offers solutions to businesses and the public sector, giving them a global competitive edge.

H.E Abdullswamad Nassir, Governor of Mombasa County graced the official opening of the event that had seen the attendance of key stakeholders in the innovation and digital economy industry including the young innovators in the region, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, and France Ambassadors, Swahilipot Hub Foundation leadership as well as the big tech companies and other private sector organizations.

Also present at the event were Alice Kimani- Private Sector Engagement Lead at KEPSA, Ben Roberts- the Group CTO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and KEPSA ICT Sector Board chair, Andrew Masila- Head of Innovation at Safaricom and Prof. Peter Gichangi of the Technical University of Mombasa who participated in the opening plenary session. The panelists introduced the discussions around youth empowerment in the digital economy that would help promote their livelihoods, create jobs, promote sustainability, and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

Here are a few highlights from the keynote remarks and the opening plenary:

“Innovation hubs such as Swahilipot have the potential of even developing leaders such as myself who are a product of the Swahilipot hub. Here in Mombasa just like across the country, our biggest challenge is inadequate jobs for our youth. However, digital technologies and innovations are opening up opportunities for us. For instance, we will soon be launching an app called Fursa App meant only for the residents in Mombasa to link them with work opportunities through the interested companies that are approaching the county and willing to invest here in Mombasa. We are also planning on making Mombasa a smart city by installing CCTV cameras across the town to even improve our town’s security.” - H.E Abdullswamad Nassir, Governor of Mombasa County.

“Sailing is an act of beginning a voyage. This 4th edition of the Pwani InnovationWeek is a special edition as we start the journey of a complete mindset and shift across the globe. A good challenge to young people is to have an understanding that sailing calls for strength, zeal, and patience as we might not be able to predict what storms lie ahead. However, let us carry with us these key components; our voice to be heard, the right attitude and mentorship, collaboration, and a platform to be innovative. So to potential investors, don’t just like our ideas but support us to commercialize them.” – Charlene Ruto, Youth Champion.

“The digital economy has led to the growth of digital innovation and entrepreneurs which is a promising trend in job creation for young people. Through the Ajira Digital Program, for instance, we have seen the growth of digital work platforms that act as marketplaces where individuals and businesses can access a variety of services and connect them to experts in the field. A person looking for a housekeeper can visit a platform such as Mama Fua, or a contractor looking for a Fundi can do the same on established platforms. Other digital platforms are offering great solutions for businesses such as business intelligence which help the private sector reduce their operation costs or wastage such us overstocking.” – Alice Kimani, Private Sector Engagement Lead at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance.

“Our young people are the current and future drives of the digital economy. This is evident given the large percentage of the youth both in Kenya and in the region. Sub Sahara Africa for example has over 70% of its population being below the age of 35 years. We therefore need to build an environment that is inclusive of young people as well as one that cultivates a culture of innovation. Currently, the government is already putting in place 1,450 digital hubs across the country ensuring connectivity in these facilities and offering digital skills. These hubs will be good ground to grow our young innovators and skill them into commercial enterprises. To young people, be patient, keep learning and relearning as it will eventually pay off.” – Stanley Kamanguya, CEO, ICT Authority.

“A young artist known as Aisha once used her skills and painted the dreams of her community to resonate with the past, reimagine the present and create the future. This is an indication that while we embrace innovation we need to honour our heritage which will then advise our future. Therefore, this innovation week is a good platform to enhance the need for collaboration and enhance synergies since teamwork makes the dream work.” - Osman Varwani, Chairperson Pwani Innovation.

“As a purpose-led technology company, Safaricom's purpose is to transform lives and the youth are at the center of the agenda. Hence, our innovation focuses on the community, customers, colleagues, and the growth of the company. This is why we partner with the private sector, public sector, tech hubs, and even academia to help us achieve the same.” – Andrew Masila, Head of Innovation, Safaricom PLC.

“As a leading connectivity, innovation, and intelligent technology company across 13 countries, primarily in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa, that is building a digital future for Africa, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is always supporting such initiatives such as Swahilipot hub and other tech initiatives to leverage technology and help create jobs for our young people. We are already working with a number of start-ups here in Mombasa and especially those promoting blue economy” – Ben Roberts, Group CTO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies

“Institutions of learning give chance to young people to sharpen their minds and ready for the market. It is where we nurture ideas and help develop prototypes hoping they can turn into commercial opportunities. Hence, TVETs and universities are crucial in bringing up young innovators and encouraging great minds that offer solutions to humanity and the planet.” – Prof. Peter Gichangi of the Technical University of Mombasa.

The event continues to show that the private sector just like other players is key to the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship and is not limited to financing and investment. The private sector brings more opportunities for value creation and other contributions such as innovative capacities, human resources, technological input, and building markets for these innovations. On the other hand, businesses benefit from innovation and technologies as they translate into new products, processes, and models that foster growth and a global competitive edge.