This archive report was first published on 11 October 2021.
Kenya's Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into a middle-income economy, but the rising youth unemployment rate poses a significant challenge. According to the Global Index 2017, Kenya is among 17 middle and lower-income economies that perform significantly better on innovation than their current level of development would predict, despite limited state support.
Local innovations have the potential to solve unemployment and place organizations strategically to meet changing customer preferences and gain a competitive advantage. However, institutions in Kenya often favor foreign solutions over local ones, which can lead to a loss of control over data and a lack of skill and knowledge retention for local people.
Government policies, such as the 2015 directive to allocate up to 40% of ICT sourcing to local firms, have not been implemented effectively. The lack of an agency or authority dedicated to nurturing local solutions is also a significant challenge. This has led to a culture where foreign solutions are preferred over local ones, despite the potential benefits of local innovations.
Examples of successful local innovations, such as M-PESA, demonstrate the potential for local solutions to have a significant economic impact. However, the attitude in public service often prioritizes individual gain over collective well-being, which can hinder the adoption of local innovations.
Leadership that is in tune with the times is necessary to drive change and support local innovations. This requires a shift in culture and attitude towards local innovations, recognizing their potential to address complex issues and have a significant economic impact.
The writer, Kilemi Thambura, is an Alumni of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme.
