The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) has won a competitive bid to establish and operate the Green Digital Innovation Hub (gDIH) in Kenya.
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While making the announcement on 30th June, 2023, the GIZ Digital Transformation Centre (GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE) team in Kenya revealed that the ACTS Consortium emerged winner mainly due to their ‘exceptional capabilities and dedication to driving sustainable innovation’.
The GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE project team and the ACTS Consortium will spearhead the development of the hub, ushering in a new era of sustainable technological advancements. Together, they aim to drive meaningful change, promote environmental consciousness, and foster innovation that paves the way for a brighter future.
The Hub aims to support Kenya's digital transformation while promoting sustainable development, the circular economy, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation.
The Consortium will collaborate closely with the GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE project team to embark on a transformative journey. The initial phase will involve a study trip to Europe, allowing the consortium to gather invaluable insights and inspiration. Subsequently, a detailed roadmap will be developed, leading up to the official launch of the Hub in December 2023.
The collaboration between the ACTS Consortium and the GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE project team will extend beyond the roadmap, as both parties will engage in the co-creation of a comprehensive business plan. This plan will outline the strategic framework for the Green Digital Innovation Hub, ensuring its long-term success and impactful contributions to the sustainable technology landscape.
ACTS Executive Director, Prof. Tom Ogada, said the consortium has what it takes to achieve the objectives of the Hub.
"As a consortium, we are extremely delighted to have won the call for proposals to establish the Green Digital Innovation Hub. The vision of the Hub resonates and aligns very well with the aspirations of the individual member organizations of the consortium. We are therefore committed to using our expertise and resources to deliver effectively on the mandate of the Hub and to ensure that the Hub will significantly contribute to the growth of the innovation ecosystem in Kenya," he said.
The ACTS Consortium will also oversee the incorporation of a non-profit entity, solidifying the commitment to a purpose-driven approach and fostering a collaborative environment within the hub. Additionally, an implementation plan will be meticulously devised, ensuring the seamless execution of initiatives and maximizing the potential for transformative outcomes.
On her part, Sylvia Mukasa, the Digital Innovation Hub Expert of the GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE project team congratulated the ACTS Consortium for emerging the winner.
"We extend our warmest congratulations to the ACTS Consortium for their outstanding achievement as the winning consortium of the Green Digital Innovation Hub. Their selection exemplifies their remarkable accomplishments and perfectly aligns with our shared vision of building a sustainable and connected world. We had some quality contenders with whom we would still want to collaborate with the gDIH as the hub comes to life. We look forward to working closely with the ACTS Consortium to bring their transformative ideas to fruition," she said.
Apart from ACTS, other members of the Consortium are Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), Konza Technopolis, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). It also includes Vilgro Africa and AMSCO Development Solutions Limited.
Each member brings unique expertise and a proven track record in sustainable technologies and digital innovation, making them an ideal choice to lead this transformative project.
The Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Kenya is a flagship of the Team Europe Initiative on Human Centered Digitalization, co-financed by Germany and the EU, implemented by GIZ and Estdev. It has been established to support Kenya's digital transition towards a sustainable and human-centered digital economy and society.
