Kenyan innovation is hampered by a lack of capacity and capital which main players need to tackle in order to allow the country to progress as an innovation hub.
Speaking to HumanIPO, VISCAR Industrial Capacity Ltd chief executive officer (CEO) David Mulongo said many innovators were suffering from a lack of funds as well as a shortage of relevant materials and skilled employees.
“Innovation business is tricky and you take time before you make money and returns are not guaranteed. KSh6 million (US$72,500) is the minimum you should have spent before the product comes out,” he said.
Some of the materials used in production are also substandard and innovators have to search far and wide to find staff with the relevant skills, with most students solely focused on passing exams and leaving university without the required skills, holding the country back as far as innovation is concerned.
Although the government is trying to support innovation through the National Commission of Science Technology, which provides funds for prototypes, Mulongo feels that it could do much more.
He faulted the speed at which the money is usually allocated to innovators, saying that it should be given more quickly because speed is important.
In the same vein he added that the government should involve the private sector more, especially in vetting ideas and helping innovators, as this would help impact on the decisions made by innovators.
VISCAR Industrial Capacity Ltd is a leading training and consultancy firm in the information technology and engineering sectors, specialising in training, consultancy, recruitment and energy audits.
