Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya to Host 2025 Africa Public Service Day, Spotlighting Innovation and Institutional Resilience

Kenya is set to take center stage in continental public service innovation as it prepares to host the 2025 Africa Public Service Day (APSD) celebrations from June 10 to 12 at the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The highly anticipated three-day event — themed “Enhancing the Agility and Resilience of Public Institutions to Achieve Equitable Governance and Rapidly Address Historical Service Delivery Gaps” — aims to showcase groundbreaking ideas that are transforming governance in Africa.

Organized by the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes, the celebrations will convene stakeholders from across Kenya’s public sector, including ministries, departments, state agencies, and county governments. Together, they will spotlight innovative, citizen-centered solutions that are redefining how government delivers services — efficiently, transparently, and equitably.

A Celebration of Homegrown Innovation

At the heart of APSD 2025 will be a national exhibition of transformative public service innovations, with a focus on practical, scalable solutions developed locally to address long-standing service delivery challenges. These innovations — ranging from digital platforms that reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks to grassroots-driven programs that bring services closer to underserved communities — reflect the resilience and ingenuity of Kenya’s public institutions.

According to organizers, the most outstanding exhibits will be shortlisted for presentation at the continental APSD summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, later in June. This offers a rare opportunity for Kenya to amplify its voice on the African stage and share best practices with counterparts from across the continent.

Rethinking Public Institutions

Unlike previous editions that focused on specific sectors such as health, education, or infrastructure, this year’s event shifts the lens inward — examining the structural design and institutional agility of public bodies themselves. The goal: to reimagine public institutions not just as service providers, but as adaptive systems capable of responding rapidly to evolving public needs.

In a circular announcing the event, Principal Secretary for Public Service, Dr. Jane Kere Imbunya, emphasized the significance of APSD 2025 as a platform for institutional visibility, peer learning, and reflective reform. “This year’s celebration is more than a ceremonial occasion. It is a national moment of introspection and an opportunity to recognize the silent revolution happening within our public institutions — one defined by innovation, inclusivity, and impact,” she stated.

National Symposium: A Meeting of Minds

A key highlight of the celebration will be a national symposium, bringing together high-ranking public sector leaders, governance experts, and development partners for robust discussions on systemic reform, policy innovation, and future-proofing public institutions. Topics on the agenda include the digitalization of public services, gender-responsive governance, and strategies for bridging the rural-urban service gap.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

First celebrated in 1994 under the auspices of the African Union, Africa Public Service Day remains a vital platform for recognizing excellence and fostering a culture of innovation across the continent’s public service landscape. Over the decades, APSD has evolved into a continental call to action — urging governments to modernize, adapt, and meet the expectations of a new generation of citizens.

As Kenya hosts this pivotal event in 2025, it not only celebrates its own progress but also reaffirms its leadership role in shaping the future of African governance. The message is clear: resilient institutions are the bedrock of equitable development — and innovation is their engine.