Government Strengthens Institutional Support To Scale Student Innovations

By Staff Writer

Efforts to transform student innovations into viable businesses are gaining momentum, with the government reaffirming support structures aimed at accelerating job creation and market access for young entrepreneurs.

The renewed focus follows Kenya’s rise to 58th globally in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, its highest ranking yet, signalling growing investor confidence and strengthening the country’s position as a regional innovation hub.

Speaking at the 8th Students’ National Economic Symposium at Kenyatta University, Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui highlighted the central role of universities in driving innovation and economic transformation.

“We must take pride in the strong foundation our universities continue to build because our youth are at the centre of innovation across every sector of the economy,” Kinyanjui said.

The ministry is leveraging key institutions including the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute, Kenya Industrial Property Institute, Kenya Bureau of Standards and Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency to support research, protect intellectual property and facilitate market access.

Officials said the integrated approach is designed to streamline the innovation pipeline, ensuring ideas developed within academic institutions are refined, standardized and positioned competitively for both domestic and international markets.

In addition, the government is strengthening partnerships to connect young innovators with funding opportunities, including prototype grants, impact funds, venture capital financing and corporate accelerator programmes.

The initiative aims to address a long-standing gap where promising concepts fail to transition beyond early development stages due to limited financing, technical support and access to commercialization pathways.

“The goal is to ensure that promising ideas do not stall at concept stage, but progress into viable enterprises that can create jobs and access markets,” Kinyanjui said.

During the symposium, Kenyatta University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Waceke Wanjohi highlighted the importance of academia-industry collaboration in nurturing innovation.

He said policymakers must sustain investment in youth-driven innovation to remain competitive and unlock long-term economic growth anchored on knowledge-based enterprises.