Kenya Foreign Policy: Science, Technology and Innovation touted as enabler of development

The Kenya Foreign Policy 2024 focuses on 8 key areas, with an ambitious goal of advancing the national interests of the republic. 

Speaking during the commemoration of Kenya’s 60-year diplomatic Journey, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the ministry is looking ahead on how to advance economic diplomacy while getting feedback from Kenyans. 

Dubbed ‘Twiga Diplomacy’ the policy is founded on pillars including Peace and Security, Economic and Blue economy , Diaspora, Social-cultural and Science, Technology and innovation diplomacy. 

“We believe that these areas will afford us a much broader terrain that will enable us advance national interests of the republic,” said Sing’oei. 

At the session, delegates from the private sector also pointed out the importance of technology in advancing Kenya’s diplomatic interests and development. 

Khadija Mohamed, the Media Director at Huawei – Kenya weighed into the role of Science, Technology and Innovation in advancing Kenya’s development agenda. 

According to Khadija, the private sector has the potential to accelerate growth through investing in research and skill development among the Kenyan youth. 

“The private sector has the ability to lend capital in the form of skills to the government in supporting the youth to have capacity building and training opportunities. This is for them to have an experience of the work environment at international levels,” she noted. 

She pointed out programs by the tech company – the ICT Academy and Management trainee program – which have focused on skilling youth for an international job market. 

“These program offer the youth expose. By understanding what happens in their localities and seeing what happens beyond borders, it opens up your brain to start thinking of innovative solutions to improve your community,” said Khadija.

In addition, she called advocated for technological diplomacy to find innovative solutions to improve livelihoods in Kenya.  

“Collaboration between the government and private organisations help in surveying and finding gaps and needs for the country. This enables localisation of solutions provided by international corporations.”

On his part, Hajir Maalim, the Regional director Norwegian refugee council pointed out the potentials of technology in delivering services to underserved communities. 

 “When you have huge needs and there are limited resources, technology has a lever to bridge the gap and create a way for problem-solving,” he said. 

Maalim highlighted how the council has used technology to empower youth in remote areas, through skilling and job opportunities.

“In Kakuma, we have trained refugees and local youth on the use of technology. They are now able to get freelance jobs with IT companies abroad.”