Eight Universities Picked to Offer Tech Training to Entrepreneurs in World Bank-Funded Project

The Vice Chancellor of the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), Prof, Laila Abubakar, during the signing of a grant with the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Industry, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, to lead the SKIES Rapid Tech Skills Initiative in the Coast Region.

The process of formalizing Kenya's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem has begun, involving the selection of eight universities to train intermediary organizations including incubators, accelerators, and providers of rapid technology skills. 

This initiative, undertaken by the Strengthening Kenya’s Innovation Ecosystem (SKIES) and financed by the World Bank, focuses on intermediaries that support and expedite the growth of enterprises involved in various value chains such as Leather; Livestock (Dairy and Pastoralism Economy); Garments and Textiles; Industrial Production (Building Materials and Pharmaceuticals); and Crops (Edible Oils, Rice, Tea, Coffee).

The initiative is part of the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Programme (KIEP) implemented with the State Department of Investment, Trade and Industry with the support of the management firm: Spineberg-E4Impact JV.

Speaking during the grant signing ceremony, Dr Juma Mukhwana, State Department for Industry Principal Secretary said the following eight universities have been selected to deploy the rapid tech skills training programme; Moi University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Mama Ngina College, Open University of Kenya, Technical University of Mombasa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyatta University and Kibabii University.

Dr Juma Mukhwana in a review meeting on KIEP Project with the representatives of the World Bank on March 21.

The selection of these universities for collaboration on the SKIES Rapid Tech Skills program was made from a pool of institutions across Kenya. 

"The universities will be tasked with imparting knowledge and skills to individuals and companies that provide business development services to micro, small and medium enterprises. The primary objectives of SKIES is centered around four key outcomes that embody its transformative vision: establishing a collaborative system, ensuring long-term intermediary sustainability, enhancing outcomes for entrepreneurs and promoting technology skills, especially among women," the PS said at the signing ceremony in Nairobi last week. 

SKIES, which is part of the Ksh7.5 billion Kenya Industrial Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP), aims to streamline the provision of professional business development services. This initiative is designed to support emerging innovators and small to medium enterprises by providing them with the necessary business training when they need it.

Under the SKIES program, 267 young innovator students, 10 incubators, 10 accelerators, and 4 tech bootcamp providers will receive funding for a three-month rapid tech skills training. Additionally, 20 incubators and accelerators will receive financial grants based on their individual improvement plans. During the second training session, a further 16 beneficiaries will benefit, with 532 students selected to receive subsidies covering their tuition fees.

"The objective of the SKIES Rapid Skills programme is to implement a job readiness programme for 532 students with 267 selected students for phase one and equip them with essential rapid tech skills by the eight universities in cyber security, software engineering, data science, entrepreneurship and soft skills."

These universities will provide hand-on training that complements theoretical knowledge, ensuring that our graduates are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the modern job market," said Dr. Juma. 

The lack of a consistent platform to oversee the startup ecosystem is recognized as a significant hurdle to successful entrepreneurship. Challenges such as duplicating innovation, the absence of a national opportunity repository, the lack of standardized best practices, information disparities leading to the emergence of 'grantpreneurs,' and intermediaries lacking dedication to excellence have been identified.

According to a recent National Economic Survey report by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), SMEs account for 98% of all businesses in Kenya, generate 30% of jobs annually, and contribute three percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This underscores the importance of the entrepreneurial sector's growth, innovation, and employment opportunities for Kenya's future economic development.

Technical University of Mombasa Vice Chancellor Prof Laila Abubakar lauded the plan. 

Subscribe to Follow our Open Forum Political Talk Show Here: Sound Candid Talk - Youtube