The Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, has vouched for research, innovation and commercialization as key to Kenya’s industrialization and economic development during the ongoing Kenya Industrialization Conference 2024 at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC), Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
While delivering a key note address titled: “Research, Innovation and Commercialization – Industrialization the Solution to Kenyan Economy,” attended by policymakers, business leaders, academia and manufacturers, Prof. Wambui Ngumi highlighted the critical role of industrialization at the Conference and the 7th edition of Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival organized by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).
The Vice Chancellor reiterated the pivotal role of research, innovation and commercialization in driving industrialization,
presenting them as viable solutions to accelerating Kenya’s economic growth, emphasizing that “industrialization remains a key pathway for economic diversification, job creation, and poverty alleviation.”
She stressed that with strategic investments in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and agriculture, Kenya can transform from an import-dependent economy to one that is self-sustaining and competitive on a global scale.
The Vice Chancellor further outlined a framework for “partnerships between universities, industries and government, and the private sector to bridge the gap between research and real world applications, providing the resources, mentorship and investment needed to commercialize ideas that can drive the industrial agenda.”
JKUAT, she noted, is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between research and industrialization, through subsidiaries such as the JKUAT Industrial Park and the JKUAT Enterprises Limited with the former undertaking innovation projects incubation, as well as the JKUAT Tech Expo where cutting edge innovations are showcased to industry players.
“Through the JKUAT Industrial Park, JKUAT has taken a stab at manufacturing sector by undertaking the assembly of electronic devices mainly laptops and tablets under the TAIFA Brand,” noted the Vice Chancellor, adding that the Industrial Park has delivered on key projects such as the digital literacy program and the census projects which required local device assembly.
The Vice Chancellor said, “JKUAT researchers and innovators continue to provide leadership in critical areas such as sustainable agriculture, engineering, health, and information communication technology, which have generated a number of innovative products with the aim of establishing an ecosystem where industries not only thrive but also uplift communities, create jobs, and empower youth.”
She encouraged stakeholders to prioritize technology adoption and to focus on value addition within Kenya’s natural resource sectors, enabling the country to produce high-value goods rather than exporting raw materials.
The Vice Chancellor also outlined what she termed as the role of the universities in actualizing the industrialization agenda, namely training and research leading to innovations which should be secured through intellectual property rights (IPRs) and the need to secure them to provide an effective ecosystem for entrepreneurial and eventual industrialization.
“JKUAT has seventeen (17) patents, out of which 4 received top awards during the Africa Public Service Awards in 2024, the Vice Chancellor said.
Prof. Ngumi further identified key challenges, and proffered some solutions to unlock the country’s bid towards industrialization such as “supporting universities to create technology transfer offices, creation of special fund to support Research and Development (R&D) initiatives towards commercialization and support for Technology and Science and Industrial Parks that are essential for the development of innovations into commercial products.”
The Industrialization Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Prof. Erastus Gatebe highlighted the critical role of higher education institutions in advancing Kenya’s industrial growth.
Prof. Gatebe emphasized the need for a stronger alignment between educational programs and industrial needs to equip graduates with practical skills, especially in technology and manufacturing. This approach, he noted, would better prepare the workforce to support the nation’s industrialization goals, focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth.
The conference which is aimed at providing a platform for robust discussions, has attracted academia, industry, policy makers and development partners from Kenya, Africa and the rest of the world to support Kenya’s endeavor to optimize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green manufacturing for industrial development.
The participants are also exploring industrialization strategies tailored for the African continent, where Prof. Victoria Ngumi’s key note address underscored JKUAT’s commitment to support Kenya’s industrialization agenda through research, innovation and commercialization as well as graduates equipped with skills attuned to the needs of a knowledge-based economy.
