C4DLab launches in Nairobi

The lab’s main focus will be technology incubation and prototype development, with startups already undergoing mentorship and training with the aim of nurturing them into sustainable companies in the near future.

 The steering committee of the lab is currently exploring ways to raise funds to realise its goals.

 The event, which was held at the Chiromo Campus Court, attracted many UoN alumni, mainly drawn from the SCI, students, members of staff and industry partners, among them Ministry of ICT cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiangi, who said the initiative will not only nurture creativity and innovation but also address problems and create opportunities in society.

 He said ICT was one of the key enablers of development in Kenya and the government has made a number of considerable investments in ICT infrastructure.

 Matiangi also challenged the C4DLab to come up with home grown solutions and help youth drive-up innovations both at county and national levels. He said the government plans to hold several ICT Trade Fairs, where venture capitalists and investors will meet young innovators in the counties.

He further encouraged Kenyans to fully develop local content capacity, which is still a vast, untapped market, ready to be explored in this new digital era.

 Representing vice chancellor George Magoha, deputy vice chancellor Henry Mutoro pledged the management’s support towards the initiative.

 “The centre is aligned with Vision 2030, Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) policy, the National ICT Master Plan, the current University of Nairobi Strategic Plan and the State Department of Education, Science and Technology,” said Mutoro.

 Mutoro said with the strategic positioning of the university and abundance in talent and resources, it was well positioned to provide leadership in technological innovation.