Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen) convened a pivotal workshop with 15 Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) from 11 counties across the country
In a pivotal step toward accelerating Kenya’s digital future, Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen) convened a pivotal workshop with 15 Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) from 11 counties across the country to strengthen collaboration and explore challenges and opportunities in digital skills training, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This workshop brought government officials from the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy, the Kenya School of Government, GIZ, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and UN partners agencies UNESCO, UNCDF, UNEP, and UN Women.
The workshop aimed to strengthen collaboration, highlight the impact of DIHs at the community level, and deepen understanding of how these hubs are accelerating digital transformation across Kenya.
Government Recognizes Digital Innovation Hubs as Vital Engines to Kenya’s Digital Growth
Mary Kerema, Secretary for ICT, E-Government, and Digital Economy, opened the workshop emphasizing the essential role that DIHs play driving empowerment and inclusion. She noted that DIHs serve as centers for knowledge sharing, technology access, and job creation through strategic partnerships.
“While DIHs are central to our digital future, we must confront the obstacles they face. Funding gaps, limited public awareness, fast-changing technology, and uneven training standards require immediate attention.” Kerema noted.
Misako Ito, UNESCO's Regional Advisor for Communications and Information in Africa, complimented this by outlining DigiKen programme’s vision, to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive local digital ecosystem in Kenya that champions sustainable development, supports local MSMEs and startups, and fosters digital literacy through targeted trainings and partnerships.
Voices from the Ground: Insights from Kenya’s Digital Innovation Hubs
Representatives from the 15 DIHs shared their own ground experiences, showcasing both their impacts in local communities and challenges that they experience. These hubs offer diverse digital skills programmes targeting the youth, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups, empowering them with practical skills in digital marketing, software development, AI literacy, and entrepreneurship.
Despite their efforts, DIHs face notable challenges which include:
- Infrastructure issues like unreliable internet, frequent power cuts, and limited access to devices hamper training quality.
- Low public awareness of their services and cultural barriers to participation
- Difficulty reaching remote areas and communities
- Operational challenges such as limited capacity for growth and trouble retaining skilled trainers, and
- Lack of support systems for graduates to apply their newly acquired skills.
Building a More Inclusive Digital Economy
The workshop provided a valuable platform for partners to exchange ideas and develop strategies to support these Digital Innovation Hubs under the DigiKen programme in Kenya. These hubs are positioned to play a crucial role in bridging Kenya’s digital divide by providing skills training, technology access and support for local innovation.
By focusing particularly on underserved populations, especially women and youth, these hubs are empowering individuals to gain skills, generate income, start businesses, and actively participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Toward an Inclusive Digital Future
As key drivers of the DigiKen initiative, these Digital Innovation Hubs will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing digital inclusion, innovation, and economic growth across counties in Kenya. Through strengthened partnerships, scalable solutions, and coordinated action, Kenya is building a resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem, one that empowers communities, amplifies potential, and ensures that no one is left behind in the digital age.
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Quelle/Source: unesco, 25.03.2025
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