KeNIA steps up drive to lift Kenya’s global innovation ranking

Kenya has intensified efforts to improve its standing on the Global Innovation Index (GII) as it positions itself toward first-world economic status, with the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) spearheading a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.

This followed a high-level Global Innovation Index Focal Persons Breakfast Meeting convened by KeNIA on Thursday, bringing together the Head of Public Service, Principal Secretaries, senior officials from state departments and CEOs of state corporations to review Kenya’s innovation performance and agree on a common strategy to improve the country’s global ranking.

The meeting operationalised a Cabinet decision of April 29, 2025, which directed the harmonisation of national innovation data, performance tracking and inter-agency coordination to strengthen Kenya’s position on the GII.

A key highlight was the launch of the Global Innovation Index Steering Committee, a multi-agency body mandated to provide strategic oversight, coordinate data and policy inputs, and align Kenya’s innovation ecosystem with international benchmarks.

The committee positions the GII as a strategic national tool for economic transformation, investment attraction and global competitiveness.

Deputy Chief of Staff Josphat Nanok underscored the importance of coordination and data in driving innovation outcomes.

“Kenya can transform its ideas into scalable solutions that compete on the first-world stage by strengthening coordination across government, academia and industry, and by leveraging robust data for policy and investment decisions. Data is a strategic asset, and our collective efforts will determine how Kenyan innovations shape not just our economy, but Africa’s future in the global knowledge economy,” he said.

Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, said deliberate investments are needed to unlock Kenya’s innovation potential.

“Kenya has the talent and the ideas to drive Africa’s transformation. Our responsibility is to create the systems that allow this potential to scale,” he said, pointing to the need for data-driven policy, world-class research infrastructure and innovation-friendly regulatory frameworks.

KeNIA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tonny Omwansa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to building a resilient, innovation-driven economy by translating research outputs into globally competitive enterprises and strengthening Kenya’s visibility on the global innovation stage.

Under the new framework, Kenya will closely track priority GII indicators, including human capital and research, digital infrastructure and the creative and knowledge economy, with agencies working together to deliver measurable improvements in the country’s global innovation ranking.