Kenyan Youth Lead Digital Transformation Through DigiKen Innovation Hubs

On International Youth Day, young innovators across 11 counties showcase how grassroots digital hubs are turning local challenges into startup success and community resilience.

Nairobi, Kenya – August 12, 2025

1. Lead: What’s Happening

On International Youth Day, the UN Joint SDG Fund celebrated the impact of DigiKen’s Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs)—a network of digitally equipped centers across Kenya where youth are launching start-ups, creating employment, and crafting tech-driven solutions rooted in community needs. These hubs, supported by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office alongside UNESCO, UN Women, UNCDF, UNEP, and Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy, are equipping young Kenyans with vital digital skills and tools to bridge divides and build an inclusive digital future.

2. Background & Context: Why It Matters

Launched in late 2024, DigiKen—short for Digital Platforms Kenya—is a three-year, UN Joint SDG Fund-supported initiative aimed at nurturing a homegrown digital platforms ecosystem that supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 and sustainable, inclusive growth. It focuses on job creation, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and equitable access across marginalized communities.

Under this programme, 15 DIHs were selected through a competitive process to serve as regional engines of innovation across 11 counties.

3. Detailed Breakdown: What the Hubs Do

• Grassroots Empowerment: DIHs act as community hubs where youth turn local issues—like access to clean water, local markets, or climate threats—into tech-powered solutions.

• Skill-Building & Mentorship: Hubs offer training in digital literacy, critical thinking, ethical AI, entrepreneurship, and more—especially targeting women, youth, and marginalized groups.

• Cross-County Collaboration: A national DigiKen workshop convened all 15 hubs alongside government, private sector, and UN partners to exchange ideas, align strategies, and tackle shared challenges such as infrastructure gaps.

4. Voices from the Field

“When I first came to the Namable Innovation Hub, I had ideas but didn’t know how to bring them to life. The hub helped me learn new skills, gain confidence, and believe in myself.”

— Juliet Neema, Namable Innovation Hub, Busia County

“In a place like Mandera, opportunities can feel out of reach. That is why I run workshops on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and climate action to help other young people realise that their ideas matter, and their future is worth building.”

— Hassan Nunow Abdi, Mandera Innovation Hub

5. Impact & Future Potential

DigiKen aims to:

• Generate Jobs: Create approximately 4,500 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs by 2027.

• Boost Digital Literacy: Equip over 20,000 government officials and countless citizens with essential digital skills.

• Support Entrepreneurs: Enable up to 150 MSMEs and startups to access early-stage financing, with a few poised for international Series A funding within three years.

The broader goal? Elevating Kenya’s digital ecosystem through local ideas and inclusive innovation—without needing massive infrastructure.

6. Challenges and Considerations

While the DigiKen model is promising, the hubs face persistent hurdles such as unreliable internet access, power outages, limited device availability, and insufficient public awareness of their services. Capacity constraints and retaining skilled mentors also remain ongoing challenges.

Ensuring long-term sustainability, equitable access, and effective scaling of successful hub initiatives will be critical.

7. What Comes Next

• Expansion & Outreach: Strengthen hub infrastructure and raise community awareness to reach more youths.

• Policy Integration: Align hub activities with national digital and education policies to guarantee continuity beyond 2027.

• Tracking Progress: Monitor employment and innovation outcomes from hub-aligned ventures to measure impact.

• Scaling Success: Replicate thriving hub models and nurture promising startups for broader market entry.

8. Closing Thought

As Kenya moves deeper into its digital future, these grassroots Digital Innovation Hubs are proving that real change begins when youth are not just equipped with tools—but also empowered to lead. On this International Youth Day, Kenya’s future shines a little brighter, powered by ideas born at the local level and fueled by shared purpose.