Kenya’s GIZ Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) has unveiled The Green and Digital Innovation Hub Kenya (gDIH) during the annual Kenya Innovation Week (KIW). This initiative, slated to commence operations next month, aims to bolster micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya, providing them with widespread access to technology and innovation resources.
The gDIH will concentrate on foundational sectors such as Agriculture, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and Energy, incorporating cutting-edge technologies like Automation (AI, IoT/Sensor Networks), Cyber/IT Security, Cloud Computing, and Smart Cities. By focusing on these sectors and technologies, the hub anticipates playing a pivotal role in steering the digital and green transition in the region.
To cultivate a culture of digital innovation and entrepreneurship, the Hub plans to offer MSMEs a comprehensive array of services essential for thriving in a digital economy. This includes skills development, access to finance, testing facilities, and the establishment of an innovation ecosystem. Moreover, the gDIH aims to serve as a collaborative platform for learning and growth while promoting environmentally sustainable business practices.
Operated by a consortium led by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), the gDIH will be located in Nairobi but accessible to MSMEs nationwide. Other entities forming part of the consortium include Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kenya National Innovation Agency, and Konza Technopolis.
The launch ceremony witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between representatives of GIZ and the ACTS Consortium. Additionally, the event featured the unveiling of the official gDIH website.
Mr. Bernd Lakemeier, Programme Director Sustainable Economic Development, GIZ Kenya, highlighted the hub’s potential to contribute significantly to a more sustainable and digitally advanced Kenya. He emphasized the gDIH’s role in providing equitable access to digital innovation opportunities for all MSMEs in Kenya.
Prof. Tom Ogada, the Team Lead of the ACTS consortium, underscored the importance of infusing a green ethos into technological advancements for Kenya’s sustainable development and economic growth. He expressed the consortium’s commitment to extending the hub’s influence beyond Nairobi to encompass all 47 counties.
