By: Van
Soul Addey
The Kenya National
Innovation Agency (KeNIA) has engaged county leaders and supported youth
innovation pitch sessions at the 4th Edition of the Innovation & Business
Summit 2026 in Hola, Tana River County, to advance innovation
commercialisation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The summit was held from
October 7 to 10 under the theme “Driving Economic Growth through Innovation
& Entrepreneurship Commercialization.” It brought together county leaders,
government agencies, development partners, international representatives,
educational institutions and young innovators to explore how innovation and
entrepreneurship can drive economic transformation.
Representing the State
Department for Science, Research and Innovation, KeNIA was led by Deputy
Director of Innovation Commercialisation Ian Lugwiri, who engaged county
leaders on aligning local priorities with national innovation support
programmes.
Discussions with Tana River
Governor Dhadho Godhana and Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule explored
opportunities to advance innovation commercialisation. Engagements with the
Technopolis Development Authority, formerly the Konza Technopolis Development
Authority, also examined ways to expand young people’s access to innovation
support.
KeNIA supported youth
innovation pitch sessions, providing local innovators with a platform to
showcase their solutions and entrepreneurial potential.
The summit highlighted
intellectual property protection, skills development and market access as
critical enablers of commercialisation, reinforcing the role of innovation in
building competitive enterprises, generating employment and driving sustainable
economic growth.
