Kenya’s innovation ecosystem reached a significant milestone as the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) signed the India-Kenya Innovation Nexus Partnership Charter. The signing took place during a high-profile two-day visit to the iTIC Incubator at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), aimed at fostering deeper ties between the innovation ecosystems of Kenya and India.
The Kenyan delegation was led by Dr. Tonny Omwansa, CEO of KeNIA, and included senior representatives from 11 Kenyan universities, Vice-Chancellors, and key innovation leaders. Special guests Hon. Edith Vethi Nyenze (MP, Kitui West Constituency) and Hon. Amina Dika Abdullahi (MP, Tana River Constituency) also participated.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. B S Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad and President of iTIC, highlighted the importance of the partnership:
“We are honored to host our Kenyan counterparts and explore the numerous opportunities that our nations can create together. The Innovation Nexus reflects our shared commitment to advancing technology and entrepreneurship.”
The India-Kenya Innovation Nexus Partnership Charter emphasizes cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and startup ecosystem development between the two nations. It will facilitate opportunities for Kenyan and Indian startups to scale, exchange insights, and build capacity in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Day 1 featured an immersive tour of IIT Hyderabad’s Incubation Facilities, led by Mr. Dhruv Gupta, COO of iTIC Incubator. Delegates were introduced to cutting-edge technologies and startup projects in fields like AI, IoT, and Biotechnology.
Key discussions followed, with Dr. Tonny Omwansa and Prof. S. Suryakumar presenting the innovation ecosystems of Kenya and India, sparking ideas for future collaboration. The day culminated in a networking dinner hosted by Prof. Murty, which allowed both delegations to exchange ideas informally. Hon. Edith Vethi Nyenze and Hon. Amina Dika Abdullahi also contributed insights on fostering international partnerships.
The second day delved into critical topics such as technology commercialization, academic initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, and the role of incubators in supporting startups. A key highlight was the Joint Declaration of Membership to the India-Kenya Innovation Nexus by Indian and Kenyan universities, further solidifying the long-term partnership.
This partnership lays a solid foundation for the future, unlocking avenues for cross-border collaboration and innovation growth. With KeNIA’s leadership and IIT Hyderabad’s robust support ecosystem, both nations are well-positioned to foster startup success and drive transformative innovation.
About iTIC Incubator and IIT Hyderabad
The iTIC Incubator, under the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), is a cutting-edge Technology Business Incubator focusing on deeptech startups across sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare. Since 2015, iTIC has supported over 190 startups, which have collectively generated over INR 1,500 crores in revenue and created more than 1,100 jobs.
IIT Hyderabad itself is a leader in research and innovation, ranked 3rd in Innovation and 8th among Engineering Institutes in India (NIRF-2024). With over 320 faculty members and a strong R&D focus, it has driven the creation of numerous startups and patents.
About KeNIA
KeNIA is a state corporation under Kenya’s Ministry of Education with a mandate to develop and manage the National Innovation System. The agency promotes innovation and entrepreneurship by collaborating with stakeholders across academia, industry, and government. Its efforts in nurturing Kenya’s innovation ecosystem have positioned it as a key player in the country’s economic transformation.
