By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Kenya’s Special Envoy on
Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo, has called for stronger institutions,
investment in technological capabilities and partnerships to translate Africa’s
innovation into economic and societal value.
Speaking at an event titled
“Leadership Driving Africa’s Technology Progress”, Thigo said Africa’s
challenge was not a lack of innovation but the ability to turn it into impact,
a process he said required leadership.
“Africa does not lack
innovation. Our challenge is turning innovation into impact. And that requires
leadership,” he said.
Thigo highlighted three
priorities for advancing Africa’s technological progress: moving research into
practical solutions that create enterprises and jobs, building local
capabilities through investment in talent and infrastructure, and developing
accountable institutions and partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.
He also emphasised the
importance of technology diplomacy in strengthening Africa’s agency and shared
sovereignty, calling for a shift from adopting technologies to developing the
capabilities needed to shape their use and direction.
Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak,
Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, delivered the event’s
keynote address, emphasising the need to move research towards
commercialisation, strengthen entrepreneurship and connect universities,
industry and government.
Thigo said Africa’s greatest
opportunity lay not simply in participating in the technological revolution,
but in developing the capability to shape its direction.
