NRF Participates in Inaugural Origin Labs Advisory Board Meeting and Origins Hackathon Fest 2025

The National Research Fund (NRF) participated in the inaugural meeting of the Technical Advisory Board of the Origin Research and Innovation Labs, Physical Hub of East Africa, held at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology on 24th June 2025. The meeting convened institutional leaders, innovation experts, and key partners to chart a strategic course for Origin Labs and strengthen innovation ecosystems in the region.

NRF has been a key supporter of Origin Labs, providing funding for critical programmes and activities that nurture a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and research uptake.

The event also featured the closing ceremony of “The Origins Hackathon Fest 2025,” during which NRF Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dickson Andala, delivered a keynote address through his representative, Mr. Robert Gicheru. In his remarks, Prof. Andala commended Origin Labs for cultivating a vibrant innovation ecosystem rooted in co-creation, design thinking, and solution-driven learning.

Earlier in the day, participants toured Origin’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Fablab, co-working spaces, fellows’ offices, and innovation hubs. NRF lauded the dynamic environment, highlighting its potential to catalyse research-commercialization linkages across Kenya. “Origin Labs exemplifies the future of innovation-driven development,” noted Mr. Gicheru on behalf of the CEO.

In his address, Prof. Andala reaffirmed NRF’s commitment to strengthening Origin Labs through continued research funding, strategic partnerships, and institutional capacity support. He underscored that NRF’s inclusion in the Technical Advisory Board marks a shared commitment to scaling impactful, locally led innovations aligned with Kenya’s development priorities.

The newly constituted Advisory Board is expected to provide strategic oversight, enhance governance, and facilitate alignment with continental and global innovation frameworks. A key highlight of the meeting included an engagement session with a Scientific Officer from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), underscoring Origin Labs’ growing regional relevance.

Through its participation and support, NRF continues to champion inclusive research and innovation partnerships that turn bold ideas into sustainable development outcomes for Kenya and beyond.