Industry leaders and government officials have challenged African universities and young innovators to turn research and creative ideas into market-ready products, urging a shift from exporting raw materials to local manufacturing. The call was made during the opening of the fifth KCA University Innovation Week and Industry Summit at the institution’s Ruaraka campus in Nairobi, under the theme “Learn! Lead! Transform!”
Industry Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana, Bidco Africa Chairman Vimal Shah, European Union Ambassador to Kenya Andreas Peschke and KCA University Vice Chancellor Professor Isaiah Wakindiki urged stronger collaboration between universities, industry and government to accelerate innovation and industrial development. He further said Africa needed to increase its manufacturing capacity and create more value from its natural resources.
“No nation has become prosperous by consuming what other nations produce,” he said. “When we export raw materials, we import jobs.”
He noted that although Africa has a population of approximately 1.4 billion people, the continent accounts for only a small share of global manufacturing. Mukhwana challenged universities to commercialise research, deepen partnerships with industry and equip students to become entrepreneurs capable of developing solutions for local and international markets.
Vimal Shah Urges Innovators to Focus on Market Demand
Delivering the keynote address, Shah said Kenya had no shortage of innovative ideas but needed stronger systems to turn them into viable businesses and industries.
“The ideas are there. What we need is to become better at turning ideas into products, products into enterprises and enterprises into industries,” he said.
Shah urged innovators to identify real customer needs and determine whether people would pay for the solutions they developed. He said innovation and production were essential to long-term economic prosperity, adding that Africa’s projected population growth would create significant demand for goods and services.
With the continent’s population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, he challenged African entrepreneurs to develop products and businesses capable of serving the growing market.
His remarks highlighted the importance of combining technical expertise with business planning, market research and entrepreneurship skills.
KCA University Reports Progress in Research and Startups
KCA University Vice Chancellor Professor Isaiah Wakindiki said the institution had secured more than Sh40 million in research grants, filed over 25 patent applications and supported eight startups in recent years. He said the achievements demonstrated progress in research and innovation but stressed that universities must do more to ensure their discoveries reach users and generate practical benefits.
Wakindiki noted that successful innovation requires continued support beyond exhibitions, including mentorship, industry partnerships, financing and pathways to commercialisation.
“The quality of our journey will be judged by how well we connect research to users, and how consistently we stand with our innovators after the exhibition tents come down,” he said.
The university’s approach reflects a growing emphasis on linking academic research with business development and practical solutions to societal challenges.
EU Partnerships Expand Artificial Intelligence Skills
European Union Ambassador to Kenya Andreas Peschke highlighted cooperation between the EU and Kenya in entrepreneurship, academic exchange and scientific research as the two partners mark 50 years of relations. He cited initiatives such as the EU-funded Elevate AI project, which aims to equip more than 1,000 faculty members and students in Kenya and Rwanda with artificial intelligence skills.
Peschke said international partnerships could help remove barriers facing young people and expand their access to opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and innovation. The collaboration also highlights the growing importance of AI competencies in preparing students for changing labour markets and developing technology-based enterprises.
Student Innovations Showcase Emerging Technologies
The summit features student-led innovations addressing challenges in business, technology, environmental sustainability and scientific research.
Projects on display include:
- OmniSense: A remote equipment monitoring system.
- Biodegradable diapers: An innovation focused on developing more environmentally friendly alternatives.
- Kessler Aegis: A space-tracking platform.
- Fortify AI: A tool designed to assess business risks.
The projects demonstrate how students can apply knowledge acquired through education to develop solutions with potential commercial and practical applications.
Wakindiki encouraged students to recognise that transformative ideas can emerge from any individual or team, urging them to continue experimenting and developing their concepts.
“The person who will build Kenya’s next great solution may be sitting next to you. It maybe you,” he told the students.
Industry-Academia Collaboration Key to Job Creation
The discussions at KCA University’s Innovation Week underscore the importance of connecting education with industry requirements and market opportunities. For Kenya’s universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, closer collaboration with businesses could help learners gain practical experience, develop commercially relevant solutions and identify opportunities for self-employment.
Turning ideas into successful enterprises, however, requires more than technical knowledge. Innovators also need access to funding, mentorship, intellectual property support, manufacturing facilities and reliable routes to market. The summit provides a platform for students, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry representatives to explore how these partnerships can strengthen Kenya’s innovation ecosystem and contribute to industrial growth.
The fifth KCA University Innovation Week and Industry Summit is scheduled to conclude on Thursday.