Resources
Ai Draft Policy
An AI policy is a set of guidelines that ensure AI systems are developed and used responsibly and ethically. The policy should also ensure that AI systems comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Startup Bill, 2022
A Bill for AN ACT of Parliament to provide a framework to encourage growth and sustainable technological development, new entrepreneurship employment; create a more favourable environment for innovation; attract Kenyan talents and capital; and for connected purposes.
KENYA’ S INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
How Innovation Hubs are driving the Start-up Ecosystem in Kenya Therefore, this publication highlights the role played by innovation hubs in supporting innovators and startups in Kenya. It documents views and insights from managers of selected innovation hubs in the country and how they are driving the ecosystem. It brings out their challenges, struggles, successes and opportunities on one hand, and how they fit into the ecosystem jig-saw puzzle on the other. Based on the views from managers of innovation hubs, it is apparent that these spaces play a pivotal role in the rising tide of innovations and start-ups in Kenya, whose highest watermark was reached when the country’s start- ups raised USD 375 million seed funding in 2021. An innovation hub is defined as a physical space that brings together researchers, creators and innovators to nurture ideas into industry-changing products and services, by helping develop entrepreneurial and especially tech communities, inspire and build skills and networks among potential young entrepreneurs. Also included in this document are co-working spaces, maker-spaces and innovation labs. Whereas the innovation hubs that form the basis of this publication were randomly selected, their views - more or less – reflect their critical role in supporting innovators and start-ups. Although the views may not be exhaustive, they provide a fairly good picture of how hubs are drving the start-up ecosytem in Kenya and the impact they are having.
Skills for innovation Hubs (i-hubs) Project Launch Meeting
In the age of disruption the development model follow InnovationDisruption Applying innovation –over 50% growth from innovation depend on skills (OECD) Serving new jobs -24 million new ‘green’ jobs by 2030 (ILO); Digital literacy is the biggest skill shortage (OECD); Transformation Entrepreneurship fastest growing skill demand- up 30% by 2030 (OECD/ILO/Mckinsey); Digitalization changing skills profile in 35% jobs (European Parliament) 14% of routine tasks at risk of automation – new levels of transversal skills (OECD)
Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH) – Partnership with Small Foundation
The partnership journey of Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH) with Small Foundation can be summarized in Small Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report. Our partners are an important example of how networks can strengthen Africa’s rural entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. ACIH connect incubators, accelerators, maker spaces, co-working spaces and design studios across Kenya’s rural counties, helping address the gap created by the concentration of capital, opportunities and networks in major cities. ACIH began approximately seven years ago as a small group of isolated innovation hubs BUT NOW has grown into a network of more than 160 members. Through the network, members gain access to funding opportunities, peer learning, mentorship and connections, supported by an expanding digital platform that helps share opportunities with hubs that might otherwise remain disconnected from national and regional networks. Small Foundation’s partnership seeks to broaden the approach of investing in network infrastructure and collaboration as a pathway to strengthening rural MSME ecosystems. ACIH demonstrates how relationships between innovation hubs can evolve from simple connections into practical coordination and collaboration, enabling hubs in underserved counties to access resources and opportunities and build stronger local entrepreneurial ecosystems. Key Achievement through the Partnership: • 160+ members connected through the ACIH network. • Greater access to funding leads, mentorship and peer learning. • Expansion of connections to underserved and rural counties in Kenya. • Development of a digital platform for sharing opportunities and strengthening connectivity. • Contribution to a broader ecosystem where innovation hubs can collaborate rather than operate in isolation. “A network is like a weaved mat, that you can access different areas through threads that have been created by different people.” — Kenneth Njihia, as quoted in Small Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report.
Our objective is to promote activities and programs of the member hubs and support their vision of testing and building impactful sustainable businesses in rural and second tire towns of Kenya.
Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs - All Right Reserved | 2024. Funded by RISA
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