Konza Technopolis Links MSMEs, Innovators and Partners to Drive Technology-Led Growth
Partners, MSMEs and Innovators pose for a photo in Konza Technopolis after completing an intensive two days MSME–Innovator Connect Forum aimed to nurture the growth of MSMES in Kenya through innovative, technology-led collaboration
KONZA TECHNOPOLIS, Kenya – January 29, 2026 — Konza Technopolis has brought together micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local technology innovators and development partners in a two-day forum aimed at strengthening Kenya’s MSME sector through practical, technology-driven collaboration.
The MSME Innovator Connect Forum convened 50 MSMEs and 50 innovators to jointly identify business challenges and co-develop solutions that can be applied directly within enterprises. The initiative focused on manufacturing, agribusiness and information and communication technology sectors considered critical to Kenya’s industrialisation and job creation.
MSMEs contribute more than 33 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product and support over 15 million livelihoods. However, limited access to technology, weak value chain integration and constrained market access continue to slow their growth. Konza Technopolis said the forum was designed to help address these gaps by directly linking innovators with business owners.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Konza Technopolis Chief Executive Officer John Paul Okwiri said the programme was intentionally structured to move innovation from concept to real-world application.
“Many Kenyan innovators are developing solutions that never reach the businesses that need them most,” Okwiri said. “By connecting MSMEs directly with innovators, we are ensuring solutions are built around real operational needs and reducing the risk of business failure.”
Unlike conventional innovation events, the forum adopted a problem–solution fit model, embedding innovators within MSMEs to understand daily operations before developing prototypes. This approach, organisers said, increased the likelihood of adoption and scalability.
Dr. Mercy Mutahi, one of the participating innovators, said collaboration was essential in solving complex MSME challenges.
“When innovators work in silos, even strong ideas struggle to scale,” she said. “This platform allowed us to co-create, test ideas and challenge assumptions, making solutions more practical for real business environments.”
The forum also featured a keynote address by Prof. Eng. P. Ndirangu Kioni, former Vice Chancellor of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, who urged young innovators to view MSME challenges as opportunities to apply technical skills to drive industrial growth.
During the event, Konza Technopolis launched the Konza MSME Incubation Programme, a three-month initiative that will support the most viable solutions developed at the forum. Selected teams will receive weekly coaching, access to prototyping facilities, mentorship on intellectual property and commercialisation, and continuous monitoring to assess business impact.
The forum was held in partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the MasterCard Foundation, Red Bull, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and the UNDP Timbuktoo Africa initiative, highlighting growing collaboration between public, private and development actors to support MSME sustainability.
Through partnerships with the UNDP Timbuktoo Green Tech Hub and the MasterCard Foundation, the incubation programme aims to position locally developed innovations for regional and continental markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Partners at the forum said strengthening MSMEs is key to boosting employment, income stability and economic resilience. The initiative reflects a shift toward sustained, collaborative support for small businesses, positioning technology and partnerships as central to Kenya’s long-term economic growth.
