Inaugural STRI4Society Week 2026 to Drive Research, Innovation and National Transformation
The inaugural Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Society (STRI4Society) Week 2026 opens, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward becoming a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy.
The week-long event, coordinated by the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation (SDSRI) in collaboration with National Research Fund, NACOSTI and Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), brings stakeholders including researchers, innovators, students, policymakers, development partners, industry leaders, universities, and international organizations under the theme: “Igniting Innovation: Bridging Science and Society for Sustainable Development.”
The event seeks to strengthen the connection between research and society by showcasing how science, technology and innovation can address real-world challenges in healthcare, food security, climate resilience, manufacturing, digital transformation, and youth empowerment.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, EBS, emphasized the critical role of research and innovation in accelerating Kenya’s socioeconomic transformation.
“Science, research and innovation are not peripheral sectors; they are the engines that will power Kenya’s transformation into a globally competitive and industrialized nation,”
He noted that Kenya has immense potential driven by its youthful population, strong academic institutions, expanding digital infrastructure, and vibrant innovation ecosystem. However, he called for increased investment in research and development, stronger commercialization frameworks, and deeper collaboration between academia, industry and government.
Prof. Abdulrazak further highlighted the need for Kenya to transition from being consumers of technology to creators of innovation capable of competing globally in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital systems.
The opening session featured contributions from global partners and private sector leaders who reaffirmed their support for Kenya’s science and innovation agenda.
H.E. Amb. Henriette Geiger, Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya, underscored the importance of international collaboration in strengthening research ecosystems, innovation financing and sustainable development partnerships.
H.E. Vincenzo Del Monaco, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, praised Kenya’s growing leadership in science and innovation and highlighted ongoing collaboration between Kenya, Italy and the European Union in artificial intelligence, energy, agri-tech, communication technologies and high-performance computing.
“Science means humanity,” said Ambassador Del Monaco. “What Kenya is doing today is building tomorrow’s future.”
Private sector participation also featured prominently during the opening session. Mark Senteu, Commercial Manager at Vivo Energy, challenged participants to embrace innovation, efficiency and investment as critical pillars of industrial transformation and sustainable development.
“Every single thing we use today is a representation of somebody’s research, somebody’s investment in technology and science,” he said.
Participants were also inspired by the story of Kenyan innovator Maurice Mbetsa, who shared how support from Kenya’s innovation ecosystem helped transform his early inventions into globally recognized technological solutions. His journey highlighted the importance of mentorship, financing and institutional support in nurturing the next generation of innovators.
Throughout the week, participants will engage in exhibitions, innovation showcases, policy dialogues, youth STEM activities, startup engagements and networking sessions focused on emerging technologies and national development priorities.
The thematic areas of STRI4Society Week 2026 include:
- Science for National Development
- Digital Futures and Emerging Technologies
- Youth, STEM Education and Innovation Culture
- Industry-Academia-Government Synergy
- Climate Action, Sustainability and Green Technologies
- Inclusive Innovation and Regional Development
- Africa and Global STI Partnerships.
The event aligns with Kenya Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Medium-Term Plan IV, Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing the country’s commitment to positioning science and innovation at the centre of national development.
As Kenya continues to strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem, STRI4Society Week 2026 serves as a powerful platform to demonstrate how scientific knowledge can be transformed into practical solutions, industries, jobs and opportunities that improve lives and strengthen national competitiveness.
