Kenya has called on African countries to move beyond consuming imported technologies and invest in research, innovation and digital infrastructure to build globally competitive industries and strengthen the continent’s economic independence.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr Musalia Mudavadi said Africa must translate its technological ambitions into economic power by linking scientific research with investment, industrial production and international markets.
Speaking at the opening of the Africa Technology Leadership Conference 2026 in Nairobi, Mudavadi challenged African innovators, governments and private-sector players to take a leading role in developing and owning technologies that will shape the continent’s future.
“Africa must not simply consume the technologies shaping tomorrow. We must create them, own them and lead the innovation revolution,” Mudavadi said.
The conference, held under the theme “From Technology Ambitions to Strategic Advantage: Leveraging Science, Research, Innovation and Technology for Diplomacy, Capital and Execution,” seeks to strengthen the relationship between technological development, investment, diplomacy and practical economic outcomes.
Its central agenda is to help Africa move from expressing ambitions about science and technology to implementing strategies that generate jobs, attract capital and improve the continent’s competitiveness in global markets.
Mudavadi said Africa’s ability to benefit from technological advances would depend on its capacity to connect researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and industry, ensuring that ideas developed in laboratories and innovation centres translate into commercially viable products and services.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of data sovereignty and digital resilience, issues increasingly central to Africa’s economic security as governments, businesses and citizens rely more heavily on digital systems.
For African countries, control over data, technological infrastructure and digital capabilities is becoming an important consideration in economic planning and international partnerships. Strengthening these areas could help governments protect national interests while enabling businesses to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Turning research into economic opportunities
A major priority of the conference is mobilising financing for African research and innovation. Although the continent has a growing pool of young talent, entrepreneurs and researchers often face difficulties accessing capital, commercialising inventions and expanding their businesses beyond domestic markets.
Mudavadi called for stronger research partnerships and improved access to funding to help young innovators build sustainable enterprises in emerging industries.
The conference agenda places emphasis on connecting scientific research with industry needs, investment opportunities and global markets, creating pathways for innovations to move from development to commercial application.
Such linkages could help African economies capture more value from technology instead of relying predominantly on imported products, software and expertise.
For Kenya, which has developed a significant digital economy supported by mobile financial services, technology start-ups and a growing innovation ecosystem, the challenge is to expand these capabilities into higher-value industries, research-intensive businesses and technology exports.
The government’s broader ambition is to create an environment in which innovation supports productivity, attracts investment and generates employment for the country’s expanding youth population.
Mudavadi said the benefits of technological development must be measured not only by the adoption of new digital tools but also by the opportunities they create for young people to establish businesses, develop new products and access quality jobs.
“Our young people must not just use the technology of the future. They must be its inventors, creators and owners,” he said.
Technology as a tool of diplomacy
The conference also places technology within the wider context of international cooperation and economic diplomacy, recognising that research partnerships, access to capital and cross-border market connections can influence Africa’s position in the global economy.
By engaging researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and international partners, the gathering seeks to strengthen collaboration between African institutions and global technology ecosystems.
Such partnerships could provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, investment and the development of technologies suited to Africa’s economic and social priorities.
However, the continent’s ability to secure lasting benefits will depend on whether partnerships support local research capacity, technology transfer, skills development and African participation in intellectual property ownership.
The conference therefore presents a broader question for African policymakers: how can international cooperation be structured to build domestic capabilities rather than deepen long-term dependence on external technology providers.
Mudavadi maintained that Africa already possesses the talent needed to compete internationally, but must do more to convert that potential into leadership through investment, stronger partnerships and effective implementation.
“Africa has the talent. Now we must turn that talent into global leadership,” he said.
The conference’s message is that Africa’s technological future will depend not simply on how quickly countries adopt emerging technologies, but on their ability to develop, finance and control innovations that create economic value.
For Kenya and the wider continent, the task is to transform scientific ambition into competitive businesses, productive industries and quality employment while strengthening Africa’s voice in shaping the global digital economy.
