Kenya is making bold strides in digital transformation with the selection of 15 Digital Innovation Hubs (DiHs) under the DigiKen (Digital Platforms Kenya) Joint Programme, supported by the UN Joint SDG Fund. Led by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, in collaboration with UNESCO (lead agency), UNCDF, UN Women, and UNEP, and in close cooperation with Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy (MoICDE), this initiative harnesses homegrown digital platforms to drive sustainable and inclusive development. Key partners include the Kenya School of Government, Directorate of Training and Human Capital Development, Green Digital Innovation Hub (gDiH), GIZ Digital Transformation Center Kenya, and the Estonian Centre for International Development, among others.
A Vision for the Future
The Digital Innovation Hubs are more than training centers—they are the foundation of Kenya’s digital future. By empowering individuals, supporting businesses, and fostering collaboration, these hubs will be instrumental in achieving the goals of the DigiKen initiative. They represent a bold vision for a Kenya where digital innovation drives sustainable development, empowers people, creates opportunities for all, and ensures that no one is left behind, particularly through youth and women-led entrepreneurship.
The government recognizes that digital innovation is critical for economic growth. Eng. John Tanui, MBS, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, reaffirmed this commitment, stating,
“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.”
Similarly, Dr. Stephen Jackson, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya, emphasized the role of digital hubs in bridging inequalities, saying,
“Digital innovation is a powerful catalyst for sustainable development, and through these 15 Digital Innovation Hubs, we are ensuring that Kenya’s digital transformation is inclusive, equitable, and far-reaching. By empowering young people, women, and marginalized communities with the skills and resources to thrive in the digital economy, we are not only bridging the digital divide but also unlocking Kenya’s vast potential for homegrown innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Transforming Kenya’s Digital Landscape
The 15 Digital Innovation Hubs were selected following a nationwide call for applications launched in December 2024. More than 50 submissions were reviewed, and a rigorous evaluation process focused on identifying hubs that demonstrated strong potential to drive digital innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and empower women and youth in marginalized communities. These hubs will serve as engines of innovation, training, and community empowerment, bridging the digital divide and creating opportunities for underserved populations across Kenya.
Through their work, the hubs will provide tailored training programs to equip women, youth, and marginalized groups with essential digital skills, including media and information literacy, critical thinking, and the ethical use of AI and emerging technologies. They will also serve as incubators for entrepreneurs, particularly those leading youth- and women-owned businesses, helping them develop and scale locally driven digital solutions. Additionally, by aligning Kenya’s digital transformation with global sustainability standards, these hubs will strengthen inclusive participation in the digital economy, ensuring that no one is left behind.
The Impact of DigiKen
The DigiKen Joint Programme is expected to transform Kenya’s digital landscape, fostering economic growth, job creation, and greater digital inclusion. By 2027, the initiative aims to generate 4,500 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs, providing much-needed employment opportunities, particularly for youth. Digital literacy will also see a significant boost, with over 20,000 government officials and countless citizens gaining the skills necessary to participate in Kenya’s digital transformation.
Moreover, DigiKen is designed to drive inclusive growth by targeting vulnerable groups, ensuring that the benefits of digital innovation are equitably distributed across society. By nurturing a new generation of digital entrepreneurs, this initiative will strengthen Kenya’s position as a global leader in the digital economy, fostering local innovation and long-term sustainable development.
Selected Digital Innovation Hubs
The 15 selected Digital Innovation Hubs represent a diverse range of regions and communities across Kenya. These hubs will serve as local centers for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills development:
- Nambale NG-CDF Ajira Youth Empowerment Centre (Busia County)
- Northern Innovation and Empowerment Hub - NieHub (Garissa County)
- Isiolo Youth Innovation Centre (Isiolo County)
- Kilifi Innovation Hub (Kilifi County)
- Godoma Technical Institute (Kilifi County)
- WISEHub – Women, Build, Lead, Win (Kisumu County)
- Lake Hub (Kisumu County)
- Mandera Innovation Hub (Mandera County)
- Swahili Pot Hub Foundation (Mombasa County)
- Pwani Teknowgalz (Mombasa County)
- Africa Media Hub - Strathmore University Business School (Nairobi County)
- PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute (Nairobi County)
- Othaya NGCDF AYEC (Nyeri County)
- Kijiji Connect ICT Hub (Tana River County)
- Tegla Loroupe Skill-Based Training Center (West Pokot County)
Kenya’s digital transformation is already underway, and these Digital Innovation Hubs will be at the heart of this journey. By equipping individuals and businesses with the tools they need to succeed in the digital economy, the DigiKen initiative is paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for all.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
