NAIROBI, Kenya (BG) – Kenya launched the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling on Friday to drive the continent’s green energy transition and digital innovation.
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy (MICDE) spearheaded the initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Konza Technopolis, the Kenya School of Government, and the timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation. It aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a sustainable and inclusive Africa.
Speaking at the event, Kenyan President William Ruto highlighted Africa’s untapped potential. “Africa is endowed with abundant resources, innovation, and talent; yet, these resources have not been utilised to fully benefit the socio-economic ambitions of our continent.
“Through the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling, we can harness emerging technological opportunities and invest in ideas that propel Africa as the next frontier of tech-enabled response to the impacts of climate change and enhanced public service delivery,” he added.
The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub aims to support African startups in driving the continent’s green energy transition, while the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling focuses on equipping civil servants with essential technological skills to improve public service delivery.
The first cohort of 100,000 Kenyan civil servants is undergoing training, with plans to extend the initiative to Uganda, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
UNDP’s Africa Regional Director, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, emphasized the importance of leveraging partnerships to overcome barriers in Africa’s green and climate tech sectors.
“UNDP, through the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub, will unlock Africa’s green energy potential by leveraging initiatives like the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) and the UAE’s $4.5 billion finance initiative,” she noted.
She added that Africa has the most outstanding human capital and agency to be at the forefront of a socio-economic revolution of the world.
The hubs represent a convergence of public and private stakeholders dedicated to fostering innovation, bridging the digital divide, and accelerating Africa’s socioeconomic transformation.
Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul Okwiri praised the initiative: “Konza is more than a tech hub; it represents Kenya’s commitment to a sustainable future where innovation fuels economic growth.”
The launch positions Kenya as a leader in integrating technology and sustainability, catalyzing innovations that address climate change and enhance public service delivery across Africa.
This initiative is part of Africa’s broader efforts to harness innovation and technology to boost digital transformation and drive sustainable economic growth.
Last month, The UNDP, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Industry and the inter-ministerial startup committee, launched the pan-African ManuTech Hub in the capital Addis Ababa to catalyze innovation in manufacturing technology across Africa.
