Varsity marks a Decade of Innovation at Nairobi Innovation Week 2026

The University of Nairobi celebrated a decade of innovation and research excellence by hosting a special edition of  2026 Nairobi Innovation Week (NIW) in partnership with the French Embassy. The NIW is a landmark event that brought together students, researchers, innovators, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, development partners, investors, and representatives from universities across Kenya.

The event marked ten years since the inception of Nairobi Innovation Week, reaffirming the University’s commitment to transforming research into practical solutions that address national and global challenges. Through exhibitions, innovation showcases, strategic partnerships, and policy discussions, the 2026 edition highlighted how collaboration between academia, government, and industry can accelerate Kenya’s transition into a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Tony Omwansa , Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) , challenged the University of Nairobi to measure success not simply by the number of innovations produced, but by the tangible impact those innovations create.

Drawing inspiration from Slush, Finland’s globally renowned startup ecosystem, Dr. Omwansa encouraged the University to focus on the number of startups successfully scaled, investments attracted, technologies commercialized, research collaborations established, patents secured, and global partnerships created.

He outlined five strategic priorities that should guide the University’s next decade of innovation:

• Position the University of Nairobi as Africa’s leader in intellectual property development.
• Increase investment in research, innovation, and startup ecosystems.
• Strengthen leadership in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• Expand strategic partnerships between universities, government, and industry.
• Empower students to develop scalable innovations capable of addressing national and global challenges.

Dr. Omwansa reaffirmed KeNIA’s commitment to supporting the University through innovation financing, commercialization, intellectual property management, and market access.During the award Ceremony, Vice-Chancellor, Eng. Prof. Ayub N. Gitau, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to using research, innovation, and strategic partnerships to transform society.He highlighted the University’s collaboration with academia, government, industry, and development organizations as essential in accelerating sustainable development and economic growth.

Prof. Gitau also announced plans for the development of an Engineering and Science Complex, which will strengthen multidisciplinary research, nurture entrepreneurship, and bridge the gap between academic discoveries and industry needs.He explained that the University’s Strategic Plan (2023–2027) aligns with Kenya’s national development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals by delivering research-driven solutions in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, housing, climate resilience, and the digital economy.

Congratulating all innovators who participated in the competition, the Vice-Chancellor assured them of continued support through mentorship, incubation, commercialization, and strategic partnerships.

One of the event’s major highlights was the signing of a collaborative agreement between the University of Nairobi and Shelter Afrique Development Bank, aimed at promoting sustainable housing, infrastructure development, urban planning, and green growth across Africa. Speaking during the award Ceremony, the CEO, Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann, noted that, 'Universities are critical partners in generating knowledge, nurturing future leaders, and developing practical solutions for Africa's urban transformation.'

Officially opening the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Prof. M. Jesang Hutchinson, reflected on the University’s innovation journey over the past decade.

She revealed that the University of Nairobi has developed 176 innovations, with approximately 70 already commercialized, particularly in agriculture and food science. While celebrating this milestone, she emphasized that there remains significant potential to expand research commercialization and increase the number of innovations reaching the market.

Prof. Hutchinson noted that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are rapidly transforming industries and economies worldwide. She called for stronger institutional systems to support innovation, protect intellectual property, and accelerate commercialization.

The event concluded with the recognition of outstanding innovators whose projects demonstrated practical solutions to challenges in healthcare, education, and technology.

The first-place Award received KSh. 70,000, which was presented to Abdulnaim Hussein of Kenyatta University and Bilal Hussein of the University of Nairobi for Mammary Protect, a breast cancer diagnostic innovation developed through a collaborative partnership between the two universities.

Second place went to Elizabeth Mwenje Wanga of Kenyatta University, who received KSh 50,000 for Eago , an innovative printed circuit board (PCB) design project.

Third place was awarded to Manase Githua of the University of Nairobi, who received KSh 30,000 for Lumeka, a school management platform designed to improve efficiency in educational administration.

The winning projects showcased the creativity, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit of Kenya’s young innovators, demonstrating how university research can be transformed into practical solutions with real societal impact.