This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
On a recent visit to Nairobi, Kenya, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair praised the country's innovative spirit, highlighting Gearbox as a prime example of practical innovation that can be replicated across the continent.
Speaking at the Gearbox facility in Nairobi, Mr. Blair said, “What you are doing here at Gearbox is an amazing example [of innovation] and I really do congratulate you.” He added, “Gearbox is a really practical way in which things can be done.”
Mr. Blair emphasized the importance of applying innovation to drive positive change, stating that access to information is crucial, but it is the application of technology that solves real problems.
He noted that there is a need for guidance on how young people can apply their ideas on the continent, and Gearbox is well-positioned to provide this guidance.
“It’s about teaching our young people to be creative thinkers, the Internet and technology can give you the information, but the teachers are going to have to become guides in order to enable people to think creatively because when you think creatively, you come up with these types of inventions,” he said.
Mr. Blair also commended Kenya's role in pushing the Big 4 Agenda to encourage local manufacturing and its position as a hub for technological innovation in Africa.
Founded as an iHub arm, Gearbox has received recognition from global leaders, including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and French President Emmanuel Macron.
As a building maker space, Gearbox provides support to local makers sustainably, casting a wide net to encourage local innovation.
“Technology can and should be made by the people who live with the problems it solves. This is a key driver for the existence of Gearbox and is one of the reasons I opened this hub,” said Gearbox founder and Executive Director, Dr. Kamau Gachigi.
