Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is hosting a series of advanced professional training workshops under the Italia Academia with Africa (ITACA) project, aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems across Africa.
The programme, themed “Building Sustainable Entrepreneurial Futures,” brings together entrepreneurs, startup founders, and ecosystem actors for intensive courses designed to harness technology and innovation for sustainable development. The initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by four Italian universities; Catholic University of Milan, Turin, Urbino, and Polytechnic Del Mache, alongside ten African universities, including JKUAT.
The first training workshop, “AI for Sustainable Development (AISD),” officially opened on April 8, 2026, at JKUAT’s Juja campus. Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, represented by Prof. Hellen Mberia of JKUAT Karen Campus, said the programme supports Kenya’s Digital Superhighway pillar and will help build the country’s growing technology ecosystem. “Taking participants through the course will drive the digital economy and enhance service delivery through innovation,” she noted.
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Prof. Ngumi explained that the AISD course introduces entrepreneurs and innovation actors to the strategic use of artificial intelligence in sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, and health, with a focus on emerging‑market contexts. She added that the theme aligns with Kenya Vision 2030 and the Fourth Medium Term Plan, positioning Kenya as a globally competitive nation.
JKUAT ITACA Project Coordinator Dr. Clifford Obiero outlined the project’s objectives, training areas, and upcoming initiatives, including the launch of the Advancing Learning and Academic Networks for Transformation, Innovation and Sustainability (ATLANTIS) programme.
JHUB Founder Dr. Lawrence Nderu, a key partner in the project, said the aspiration is to nurture startup founders through advanced training. He urged participants to embrace AI, noting that while other regions are already exploiting its potential, Africa is only beginning to explore its role in service delivery. “AI is the way to go. Engage, converse, and innovate around it,” he told participants.
The workshops have attracted diverse participants, including government officials, startup leaders, and innovators. Stephen Changaya from the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy said he looked forward to networking with peers working on AI‑powered startups. Esborn Ogeto, CEO of Nanaheal Enterprises in Nyamira County, said he was keen to apply AI in tackling environmental pollution and improving soil health through eco‑friendly fertilizers. Another participant, Rosemary Nyakio, shared her interest in developing AI language models in African languages to support patients and therapists.
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The training covers three thematic areas: AI for Sustainable Development (AISD), Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Climate Change (SECC), and Sustainable and Community‑Based Tourism (SCBT). Topics include designing and scaling tech‑based business models, AI innovations in agribusiness and healthcare, prompt engineering, AI tools for marketing and content creation, and responsible AI in emerging markets.
Presentations have been delivered by experts such as Enrico Giansoldati of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, who introduced AI and tech‑based business models, and Dr. Nderu, who led sessions on prompt engineering, agents, and automation.
The first phase of training concluded on April 10, 2026, paving the way for subsequent SECC and SCBT courses to be hosted at JKUAT Karen Campus.
By Patrick Amunavi
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