NAIROBI: 7th August, 2023
Nairobi City County Governor H.E Sakaja Johnson in the company of Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri today officially opened Innovate Nairobi Tech Week 2023 at the Edge Convention Center.
The Innovate Nairobi Tech Week, whose theme “Innovation Unleashed for Economic Opportunities” is a program under Digital Economy and Startups Sub-sector and is set to run from the 7th- 11th August, 2023.
The objective of the Tech week is to bring together over 500 innovation stakeholders to create greater visibility for Nairobi’s’ vibrant Tech ecosystem and provide a platform for startup investor pitch, start up linkage to global start cities, career opportunities for youth, partnership opportunities for international startups and businesses among others.
H.E. the Governor in his opening remarks said “The role of the Government is to facilitate and give you the environment you require to be the best of what you can be. Our work is to focus on our greatest resource which is our people. The County Government will do whatever it takes to develop the human capital to make sure we can thrive and explore solutions that are rapidly scalable through supporting the start up eco system and the tech community”.
The County boss further shared that with the start ups showcasing their innovations, it has proven that the energy and creativity is very present which will make it easy to find most solutions to existing problems.
He said “The difficulty is connecting these solutions to the problems that are designed to solve, intermitting them so that we can get better with time and building the networks, skills and the institutions that will let us innovate faster and let innovators reap the benefits of their creativity. We need to make sure that we are just as good at the business of building a digital economy, it has to be deliberate, there must be investment and due attention given as well as intention”
H.E Deputy Governor, Njoroge Muchiri said ” To be able to see the kind of innovation that is being showcased here that would create employment and improve lifestyles is encouraging. Innovation plays a vital role in addressing challenges, generating job opportunities, enhancing living standards, and notably, generating income. The County under the leadership of H.E the Governor, has been actively supporting young individuals in their endeavors to solve local issues through innovation. It is crucial to capitalize on these opportunities to build a flourishing economy in the county and potentially expand its success to the other 46 counties. ”
County Executive Committee Member for Innovation and Digital Economy, Mike Gumo emphasized the importance of valuing the community and highlighted how the community approach enhances private sector efficiency while embracing feedback to create opportunities for the youth in alignment with the Governor’s manifesto.
County Chief Officer for Digital Economy and Startups, Victor Otieno shared that the purpose of the Tech week was to try and solve the issue of job opportunities by 30% as part of the H.E the Governor’s manifesto.
Said Mr. Otieno ” One of the reasons this Innovate Nairobi Tech week is different from the rest is that it is community-driven, bringing together people to learn from each other. The tech week will also serve the purpose of linking investors with startups and like-minded people. It will be outcome focused. ”
Nairobi City County Assembly ICT Committee Vice Chair and Member of County Assembly for Kileleshwa Ward, Robert Alai, praised H.E the Governor for acknowledging the significance of innovation and digital economy sector and commended his support for innovation, expressing satisfaction in witnessing innovative solutions that can be implemented effectively in the county to provide valuable data.
Director, Sales Diamond Trust Bank, Dr. Kennedy Nyakomitta emphasized the importance of hosting more events in the county to foster and grow Nairobi’s technology sector, and he lauded H.E the Governor’s involvement in leading the way for technology and creating an innovation-friendly atmosphere.
The week-long Tech week features hackathon Presentations, kids and teens programs, deal rooms, tracks on Talent, Web 3, Cybersecurity, Climate change, Investment, Startup Policy, Education, Health, Media and Creative Economy, Hardware and Robotics, Smart City, Fintech, Digital Inclusion.
In attendance was County Executive Committee Member for Health, Suzanne Silantoi, County Chief Officer, Office of the Governor, Priscilla Mahinda, County Chief Officer for ICT Infrastructure, John Lintari, County Chief Officer for Public Service Management, Janet Opiata, County Chief Officer for ECDE and Vocational Training, Ahmed Mohamed Abdi, IDE advisor to the Governor, George Musyoka, Nairobi City County Assembly ICT Committee Member and Member of County Assembly for Kangemi, Hamisi Malea and stakeholders from various Tech ecosystem.
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