ASHENEWS reports that a project implemented by GIZ and commissioned by the Government of Germany and the European Union at the Digital Transformation Centre Kenya on Tuesday launched the Green and Digital Innovation Hub Kenya (gDIH).
The hub, which is a ground-breaking initiative, is aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Kenya (MSMEs) and start-ups countrywide with access to technology and innovation resources.
By fostering a culture of digital innovation and entrepreneurship, the Hub equips MSMEs with the tools, skills, and networks necessary to thrive in the digital economy, as well as serving as a platform for collaboration, learning, and growth while promoting environmentally sustainable business practices.
The gDIH will open next month and will be operated by a consortium of dedicated Kenyan entities comprising the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, the Kenya National Innovation Agency, and Konza Technopolis.
Key speakers at the launch ceremony and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) included Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary of the Ministry for ICT and the Digital Economy; Alexander Fierley, Head of the Economic Division at the German Embassy in Nairobi; and Milou Vanmulken Programme Manager, Digitalization and Macroeconomics, EU Kenya.
The MoU was signed by representatives of GIZ and the ACTS Consortium, followed by the unveiling of the www.gdih.org website.
The event included a panel discussion titled “Green and Digital Realities: A Journey to Establishing the Green and Digital Innovation Hub,” which included Eng. Edward Karani, the Director of Infrastructure Development, Technology, and Innovation at the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority; Milou Vanmulken (Programme Manager, Digitalization and Macroeconomics, EU Kenya); Sylvia Mukasa (Digital Innovation Hub Expert, GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE Project); Tony Omwansa (CEO, Kenya National Innovation Agency); and Prof. Tom Ogada (Executive Director, ACTS), with the discussion moderated by Kudzai Mubaiwa, Team Leader of the GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE Project.
The Programme Director for Sustainable Economic Development, Mr. Bernd Lakemeier, GIZ Kenya, emphasized, “This Hub marks a significant stride towards a more sustainable and digitally advanced Kenya, with its potential to bring about transformative effects on the market and industry.
As the digital economy evolves and competition becomes more intense, the gDIH stands as a distinctive platform for MSMEs to level the playing field, ensuring equitable access to digital innovation opportunities for all MSMEs in Kenya, irrespective of their geographical location.”
The team lead of the ACTS consortium, Prof. Tom Ogada, added: “Embedding a green ethos into technological advancements holds substantial implications for Kenya’s sustainable development and economic growth.
By fostering collaborations with diverse stakeholders and organizations, we are committed to extending the Hub’s influence beyond Nairobi to encompass all 47 counties, facilitating linkages to expertise, markets, and access to capital beyond the borders of our nation.”
