The Strengthening Kenya’s Innovation Ecosystem (SKIES) programme has awarded scholarships to over 500 learners and entrepreneurs seeking to up skill after two years of training.
Scholarships went to university students, recent graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs. Participating institutions included Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenyatta University (KU), Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Open University of Kenya (OUK), Mama Ngina University College (MNUC), Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), Moi University and Kibabii University.
The training covered data science, cyber security, software engineering, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and, in 2025, animation and visual effects to support the creative digital economy.
Entrepreneurs and business people also benefited through Rapid Tech Skills initiative and capacity-building grants.
Graduates and supported entrepreneurs have developed projects in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, education, housing and creative industries. Some have secured jobs, grown their businesses, or earned professional certifications that boost competitiveness.
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The project was part of the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP) funded by the World Bank. It was implemented by the State Department for Industry in partnership with management firms Spineberg and E4Impact.
SKIES strengthened Kenya’s innovation ecosystem by subsidizing tuition for trainees. It also provided grants to incubators, accelerators and technology boot camp providers that worked with start-ups and small enterprises.
By building a tech-enabled workforce and empowering start-up ecosystems, SKIES contributed to Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the Fourth Medium Term Plan.
By Benedict Aoya
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