Industry Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana and Bidco Africa Chairman Vimal Shah have challenged African countries to shift from exporting raw materials to manufacturing finished products.
The two said industrialisation is key to creating jobs and driving economic prosperity.
They spoke during the opening of the fifth KCA University Innovation Week and Industry Summit at the university’s Ruaraka campus in Nairobi, where they urged students, researchers and entrepreneurs to turn innovative ideas into commercially viable products.
The summit, held under the theme “Learn! Lead! Transform!” brought together industry leaders, academia and development partners to explore ways of strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial growth.
Mukhwana, who was the chief guest, said Africa’s position as a supplier of raw materials to global markets had denied the continent opportunities to create jobs and retain more value from its natural resources.
“No nation has become prosperous by consuming what other nations produce. When we export raw materials, we import jobs,” he said.
He noted that Africa, with a population of about 1.4 billion people representing approximately 18 per cent of the global population, accounted for only around three per cent of global manufacturing.
“We export cotton and import clothes,” he said.
Mukhwana challenged African governments, universities and private-sector players to work together to build local manufacturing capacity, arguing that the continent had the population, resources and potential to support industrial growth.
He urged universities to strengthen links with industry, commercialise research and nurture entrepreneurs capable of establishing businesses and creating employment rather than preparing graduates solely to seek jobs.
Shah, who delivered the keynote address, said Kenya had a wealth of ideas but needed to improve its ability to transform innovation into products, enterprises and industries.
“The ideas are there. What we need is to become better at turning ideas into products, products into enterprises and enterprises into industries,” he said.
He challenged innovators to focus on solving real market problems, stressing that commercial viability was essential for sustainable businesses.
“A business begins with the real customer. Are they willing to pay for the value?” he posed.
Shah said innovation, rather than consumption, was the foundation of long-term prosperity and urged entrepreneurs to identify opportunities in Africa’s expanding consumer market.
“No country becomes prosperous by consuming. We need to innovate,” he said.
With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, Shah said demand for goods and services would continue to grow, creating opportunities for businesses capable of supplying locally manufactured products.
“The demand is there. Consumption will keep happening. The question is, who is servicing the consumption?” he said.
KCA University Vice Chancellor Prof Isaiah Wakindiki said the institution had secured more than Sh40 million in research grants, filed over 25 patent applications and supported eight start-ups in recent years.
“These are encouraging signs, but they also place a responsibility on us,” he said, noting that universities needed to ensure research reached users and innovators received sustained support beyond exhibitions and competitions.
Wakindiki also highlighted partnerships supported by the European Union, including the Elevate AI project, which aims to equip more than 1,000 faculty members and students in Kenya and Rwanda with artificial intelligence skills.
European Union Ambassador to Kenya Andreas Peschke pledged continued support for young innovators, citing the longstanding relationship between Kenya and the EU as a foundation for cooperation in entrepreneurship, research and scientific development.
“We have a strong partnership between the European Union and Kenya. EU support to entrepreneurship and to academic and scientific cooperation is important,” he said.
Peschke pointed to initiatives such as the Africa Mobility Scheme, which seeks to reduce barriers facing young people and expand opportunities for learning and professional development.
The summit is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, with discussions focusing on strengthening collaboration between universities, industry and development partners to accelerate innovation and industrial development.
