Kenya is taking bold steps to secure its place at the forefront of the digital transformation with the selection of 15 Digital Innovation Hubs (DiHs) under UN Joint SDG Fund Programme DigiKen (Digital Platforms Kenya). This initiative led by the UN Resident Coordinator and a consortium of UN Agencies, UNESCO (lead agency), UNCDF, UN Women, and UNEP in close cooperation with Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy (MoICDE) aims to harness the power of homegrown digital platforms to drive sustainable and inclusive development in Kenya. Other partners include the Kenya School of Government, Directorate of Training and Human Capital Development, Green Digital Innovation Hub (gDiH), GIZ Digital Transformation Center Kenya, the Estonian Centre for International Development among others.
The Digital Innovation Hubs are more than just training centers—they are the foundation of Kenya’s digital future. By empowering individuals, supporting businesses, and fostering collaboration, these hubs will play a critical role in achieving the goals of the DigiKen initiative.
Kenya’s Digital Innovation Hubs are crucial for its economic future. Investing in them empowers youth and women with digital skills fueling innovation, and inclusive growth – Kenya’s key vision 2030. The government is firmly committed to supporting these vital engines of progress.
Following a nationwide call for applications launched in December 2024, over 50 submissions were reviewed based on their potential to drive digital innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and empower women and youth from marginalized communities and groups in Kenya. After rigorous evaluation exercise, fifteen (15) hubs were selected. The selected Digital Innovation Hubs will serve as the engines of innovation, training, and community empowerment, bridging the digital divide and creating opportunities for underserved communities in Kenya.
The Selected Digital Innovation Hubs include:
- Africa Media Hub – Strathmore University Business School (Nairobi County)
- Godoma Technical Institute (Kilifi County)
- Isiolo Youth Innovation Centre (Isiolo County)
- Kijiji Connect ICT Hub (Tana River County)
- Kilifi Innovation Hub (Kilifi County)
- Lake Hub (Kisumu County)
- Mandera Innovation Hub (Mandera County)
- Nambale NG-CDF Ajira Youth Empowerment Centre (Busia County)
- Northern Innovation and Empowerment Hub – NieHub (Garissa County)
- Othaya NGCDF AYEC (Nyeri County)
- PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute (Nairobi County)
- Pwani Teknowgalz (Mombasa County)
- Swahili Pot Hub Foundation (Mombasa County)
- Tegla Loroupe Skill-Based Training Center (West Pokot County)
- WISEHub – Women, Build, Lead, Win (Kisumu County)