Calls have been made to the Government and the private sector to support young innovators, entrepreneurs and creatives to commercialize their products.
Key players in the education sector observe that there’s a batch of next generation innovators in learning institutions across the country who have transformative ideas that will shape the future through creativity and entrepreneurship.
Led by Mpesa Foundation Academy CEO Tony Eysele, the stakeholders maintain that budding innovators require support and protection to advance their ideas into commercial products noting that they have ideas which can offer solutions to a myriad of challenges bedeviling the society, country and the world.
He spoke during the Academy’s annual innovation day 2025 at the institution in Thika, Kiambu County, an event that featured groundbreaking projects from students across various schools that presented innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges.
The event attracted key industry players from leading technology and financial institutions including Safaricom PLC, VISA, Ericsson Kenya Ltd, KCB, KQ and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Mr Eysele averred that most young innovators in the learning institutions have developed ideas that will have significant impact in diverse sectors in the country and that the institution is linking the students with the industry so as to foster sustainable innovations.
He divulged that MPesa Foundation Academy trains students to be critical and creative thinkers adding that they provide critical infrastructure to support, spur and catalyze innovations and also ensure that the innovations are operational.
“Our everyday goal is to turn dreamers into change makers and future leaders through an interpersonal learning system and an IB curriculum designed to nurture innovation,” he said.
The CEO called on corporates and financial institutions to tap into the young creative minds and help transform their ideas into solution-based innovations that will address socio-economic challenges and at the same time benefit the students.
Similar sentiments were echoed by VISA Vice President for East Africa Region Chad Pollock who termed innovations by the young students as eccentric noting that they have the ability to transform key sectors including healthcare, finance, Energy and education among other key areas.
He noted that as private sector stakeholders they will be collaborating with learning institutions such as MPESA Foundation Academy to tap into the talents and hone their creativity and skills as well as support them advance their innovations.
Pollock said that the ideas showcased by students have a great potential to change lives, create economic opportunities and also spin the country’s economy.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
Kisumu Sugar Belt Union calls for greater farmer representation in decision-making
Sharon Wanja, a student at the Academy, revealed that together with a group of fellow students have embarked on an innovation that is aimed at conserving the environment through reduction of carbon.
Their Eco-Seeds bags are meant to reduce over-reliance on non-degradable plastic bags that have largely contributed to choking of the environment and the rise of climate change.
The bags according to Wanja contain seeds including fruits and vegetable seeds and are highly degradable and are sustainable in enhancing environmental conservation through reduction of carbon emissions as well as contribute to the country’s food security sustainability.
Esther Wangui and her team from Mugoiri Girls High School have developed an application to monitor bees and hives. The idea is geared towards helping small-scale farmers monitor their bees as well as manage the hives for maximum production of honey.
Wangui said that the project will save farmers on time as well as reduce losses incurred due to poor management of bees and hives including late harvesting of honey. This, she said, will economically empower farmers and make bee keeping a lucrative business.
By Kamau Njoroge.
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
