1. Republic of Kenya 1 ST DBA- AFRICA MANAGEMENT REVIEW INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2015 1 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA Eng. Joseph Njoroge, MBS Principal Secretary 20 th March,2015, Nairobi

2. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Debate on sustainable social economic development is incomplete without full consideration on role of research and innovation. Research and innovation helps in accessing appropriate technologies that promote steady improvements in living standards, and drive productivity gains which ensure rising incomes for a country. 2

3. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT In Africa research and innovation policy has often been pursued independently of the broader developmental agenda. Research and innovation should be integrated into public policy goals, giving focus to the nexus between Research and Innovation and Social Economic Development. 3

4. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Research and innovation should be made more participatory to include full spectrum of all stakeholders including Universities, mainstream government as well as private sector players. For African countries to realize steady socio economic development there is need to bolster their efforts and build their capacity through Research and innovation. 4

5. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Much of the required technology is readily available to the public but accessing and linking them to the required knowledge and skills is not automatic. It calls for investments in dynamic capabilities, particularly to shape the ability of national stakeholders to absorb new technologies and make improvements in line with local context which the Universities can take a leading role. 5

6. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT In Kenya deliberate efforts have been made under Vision 2030 to promote research and innovation which catalyzes use of appropriate technology by fostering public-private partnerships. Action plans have been made to facilitate joint research & development activities to faster achieve social economic development in the region. eg SGR and LAPSET project etc 6

7. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Connecting local needs to international opportunities is a particular challenge for many developing countries in Africa which I challenge the universities to take a leading role. This will ensure that national regional and international strategies, respond in new ways that ensure innovation is integrated into national development priorities, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs), where the technological divide is greatest. 7

8. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The varied responses are required because research and innovation have become more complex and are now built on a mixture of collaboration and competition involving market incentives but also private and public partnerships across borders. The Government of Kenya has singled out research and innovation as the key to industrialization which is a key contributor to the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030 8

9. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT During the implementation of the first MTP, new priority areas were identified and considered necessary to complement the existing flagship projects. These included; Facilitating the training of professional in different sectors within the institutions of higher learning including universities 9

10. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT This, therefore, positions universities strategically in the realization of increased Industrial Research, Technology and Innovation outputs, improved Technology transfer, Dissemination and Commercialization of Research, Technology and Innovation outputs, establishment of strategic partnerships and strengthening of institutional capacity. 10

11. Energy and Sustainable Development Currently, we are witnessing a slow transition to post-fossil energy age, which has to develop its own sustainability system to avoid energy crises and stabilize society. This is because energy is critical to socio- economic development. Energy has been a catalyst and key enabler of development. 11

12. Kenyan Energy Situation Kenya has prioritized Research and Innovation in the Development of reliable energy. In our Reviewed Energy Policy, we have provided for establishment of an Energy Institute to undertake training, research, development, dissemination, nurture talent, innovation and enhance capacity building in the sector. 12

13. ENERGY INSTITUTE...OBJECTIVES It shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession, and we aim to have it well funded Aims to Promote local, regional and International participation in technology- oriented research activities Enhance research linkages between the Industries and academia Promote local production of energy technologies 13

14. Focus Areas Development of alternative technologies in provision of energy. Currently, our power generation mix has more than 62% of energy coming from renewable sources of hydro, geothermal, wind and biomass cogeneration. Going forward there are plans to increase the share of renewable ener gy 14

15. Focus Area...(2) One of our current flagship projects is the 5000+ MW programme, in which we seek to accelerate the addition of 5000MW (from the current 1941MW) to the national grid in the next 3 years. Factored sources:- geothermal (1646 MW), wind (635 MW), biomass cogeneration (18 MW), Small Hydro (24 MW). The Initiative is also expected to result in reduction of electricity tariffs by about 40% 15

16. Focus Area....(3) Having such a mix, with considerable base generation, will enable us inject more power generated from renewable energy sources to the national grid. Much of this will be developed by the private sector This presents an opportunity to continue with our injection of appropriate technologies in renewable energy development, deployment and utilization. 16

17. Some Examples.. Advances in geothermal energy seen great improvement in drilling technology, leading to more yields of the geothermal steam. This has greatly improved the viability of the geothermal power technology. Such advances being witnessed in other renewable energy technologies of solar, wind and biomass development and utilization. In domestic household energy provision, there are various and impressive technological advances, which could be deployed without requiring much financial outlay. 17

18. Partnerships We need the Academia, Researchers, and Innovators to work closely with policy makers and industry practitioners to grow and further partnerships in development strategies and programmes. Such emerging Technologies should be adapted to local conditions Further, technology transfer should be promoted, and local manufacturers facilitated as much as possible. This will spur socio economic growth in Kenya 18

19. THANK YOU …