Ruto launches Silicon Savannah Innovation Park at State House, Nairobi

President William Ruto has officially launches the University of Nairobi's Silicon Savannah Innovation Park. [ScreenGrab, WSR; X]

President William Ruto has officially launches the University of Nairobi's Silicon Savannah Innovation Park at State House, Nairobi.

This comes months after the institution unveiled five new and major projects to transform the university, dubbed the “Big 5” initiatives.

In his speech at the launch Monday morning, President Ruto has urged the youth to embrace opportunities created by the government.

He says that the Silicon Savanna project is an investment for the future of Kenyan youth.

“I also have a message to the youth of Kenya: Your government is shaping the future, working for you and delivering opportunities for you to learn, work, create and innovate a path to the future for yourself and for Kenya. The Silicon Savannah Innovation Park is your platform to define the future of Kenya’s digital economy,” Ruto says.

“The Silicon Savannah Innovation Park is more than an infrastructure project; it is an investment in our people, our future, and our global standing. Our message is clear: Kenya will not merely participate in the 5th Industrial Revolution; we will lead it. Let us seize this defining moment to turn our vision into a legacy of inclusive transformation that endures for generations.”

Through the newly launched project, the president aims to solve the high unemployment rate among the young people by creating more jobs for them. He also says the project will boost the country’s digital economy.

“This project is not just about creating jobs; it is about reshaping Kenya’s economic DNA. By anchoring a robust technology and innovation ecosystem within a leading institution of higher learning, we strengthen linkages with industry and forge partnerships regionally and globally.”

“The University of Nairobi's Engineering and Science Complex, which has benefited from a €35 million investment by the Government of France, exemplifies the future of visionary international partnerships. Through collaboration with esteemed institutions such as Université ParisSaclay and CentraleSupélec, we have succeeded in establishing a world-class platform that affirms Kenya’s credentials as Africa’s foremost tech capital.”

The Silicone valley project was created during the Chancellor’s Partnership Forum earlier in the year.

The Forum brought together government officials, university leaders, and high-level partner representatives to launch the “Big 5”, aimed at positioning the University of Nairobi (UoN) as a leader in Africa on innovation, leadership, and sustainable development.

Other projects in the forum are: Kenya Green Jobs Center to equip Kenyan youth to lead the green transition through climate and sustainability courses offered to all 40,000 students, Nairobi School of AI to develop top-tier AI talent, Africa Leadership Institute to train the next generation of East African leaders in the public sector and the Nairobi Advanced Health Research Programme to scale the University’s lab and research capabilities in support of vaccine development, clinical trials, and biotech.