UoN and DTU Student Innovators Test Climate Solutions in Kibera
The University of Nairobi (UoN) has welcomed 13 student innovators from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) for a week-long collaborative field visit under the Resilient Futures initiative, bringing together 25 student innovators from Kenya and Denmark to develop and test innovations that respond to community needs and climate resilience.
The programme is implemented through a partnership between 100% for the Children, Denmark, the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya, DTU and the University of Nairobi. The initiative demonstrates the long-standing collaboration between UoN and DTU, which has continued to create opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation and student-led solutions.
Speaking during the opening, held on Tuesday, 18th August , 2026 at the Dannish Embassy, participants emphasized the importance of changing the narrative about Kibera. Rather than viewing vulnerable communities only through the lens of challenges, they highlighted Kibera as a place rich in creativity, innovation and untapped potential that deserves greater visibility and investment.
During the field visit, the multidisciplinary student teams will conduct prototype testing, user testing and community interviews in Olympic, Ayany and Karanja within Kibera. The students will engage directly with residents to understand local experiences and gather feedback that will help improve their innovations before further development.
The teams are working on eight innovations across key areas including clean energy, water safety and water cleaning, menstrual health, sanitation, drainage and waste management, all contributing towards building climate-resilient communities.
The visit also marks a significant milestone as the Regional Innovation Centre Denmark Africa, domiciled at the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya, hosts its first innovation event. The Centre, led by Tine Jensen, is part of a global network established through a partnership between Denmark's Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen innovation collaboration between Denmark and regions across the world. Its pillars focus on the Green Transition, Technology and Life Sciences, while supporting university partnerships, student mobility and innovation ecosystems.
DTU's participation is anchored by DTU Skylab, one of Denmark's leading university innovation hubs founded to promote Innovation for the Benefit of Society. Skylab supports student innovation, research collaboration, start-ups and technology transfer, creating an environment where ideas are transformed into impactful solutions. The collaboration with UoN aligns with the 2026–2032 DTU–UoN Knowledge and Innovation Partnership, which seeks to connect engineering students with local communities to develop innovations with meaningful social impact.
The field visit offers an opportunity for Kenyan and Danish students to learn from one another while demonstrating how universities can work alongside communities to co-create practical solutions to contemporary climate challenges.
As the students begin their week in Nairobi, the University of Nairobi looks forward to strengthening its partnership with DTU, 100% for the Children and the Innovation Centre Denmark Africa in advancing innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development through solutions that place communities at the centre of innovation.
Prof. Thomas Ochuku, the Director Research represented the University of Nairobi and is also the lead in this collaboration engagement.
