The Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) is a flagship innovation forum for the country coordinated by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA).
The Kenya Innovation Week 2023: Commonwealth Edition, which took place from 27 November to 1 December 2023 in Nairobi, was a landmark event in the field of innovation and development. Held at the Edge Convention Centre, this inaugural Commonwealth Edition, themed Innovating To Unlock Our Common Wealth, saw a gathering of global leaders, government officials, business and academic representatives, and a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Secretary-General the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC.
Kenya’s President William Ruto extended a warm welcome to the participants, emphasizing the event’s role in celebrating Commonwealth ingenuity and growth. “The event not only sheds light on the brilliant innovations coming out of Kenya but also on the Commonwealth innovation system’s key actors, the potential for growth, challenges, and opportunities for innovators,” President Ruto stated.
A significant feature of the week was the Picha Images stand showcasing the use of media technology to preserve cultural heritage through an Augmented reality (AR) photo exhibition that featured the disappearing Elmolo tribe of Kenya. Also included was a Virtual tour of cultural heritage sites like Fort Jesus and Thim Lich Ohinga in partnership with Makavazi Go, a project of the National Museums of Kenya.
Picha Images was hosted by Anza Village, a startup ecosystem enabler aimed at supporting startups by offering them long-standing experience at all stages. Anza Village led the summit on the theme of Intellectual property Rights
The five-day event featured thematic summits, panel discussions, keynote addresses, fireside chats, workshops, and networking events, along with exhibitions from various participating organizations, groups, and countries. Commonwealth activities included a Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on Science, Technology, and Innovation, and participation from the Commonwealth Youth Council and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network.
The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), a key organizer of the event, continued to be a significant enabler of socio-economic development through innovation in the country. The agency was responsible for coordinating, promoting, and regulating the National Innovation System, working with partners to strengthen interrelationships between actors to promote innovation and enterprise development.
This event marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards becoming a hub of innovation and development, not just in Africa but across the Commonwealth.
A big thanks to Anza Village, Kenya National Innovation Agency, the British High Commission, Techprescribed, and everyone who made the week a success.
If your organization is interested in creating experiences in augmented reality & virtual reality, we encourage you to get in touch with us to explore the possibilities. Together, we can create unique and unforgettable experiences that will leave participants wanting more.
You must be logged in to post a comment.