I think there is good work which is being done in the sector, albeit with challenges, which is normal. People had great expectations of a tech boom, which unfortunately is yet to be realized. But all is not, lost, the potential exists and we just need to restrategise. 

My observation is that there is a missing link between innovation and the market. The startups/ICT business need to invest more on R&D to ensure that their products are actually meeting a need in the market, then come up with stuff that the market actually needs and not so what they think the market needs. Plus, while not advocating for copying, its possible to come up with alternatives for what's already in the market  especially for mobile apps for android, iOS, WP etc. I may be wrong, but there are very few apps across the various categories e.g. games, entertainment, utility apps etc from kenya on those appstores. Most are news/corporate apps.

We should therefore continue encouraging guys to innovate at all levels, high school, uni etc., and for all manner of things if possible, then help them put their apps in the market. Also, encourage industry to work and partner with schools, colleges and universities to harness talent. 

Plus, it doesn't have to make money immediately, but at least should have potential. Then they figure how to monetize it later.

I agree, we need good environment - policy, legal, financial etc to catalyze innovation. Good copyright & patent system are also key. And when GoK is giving financial support, it should not just be for one off projects, but for innovative ideas with demonstrated potential.

Victor

Victor Kapiyo

====================================================
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig Ziglar

On 7 January 2015 at 05:24, Matunda Nyanchama via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Friends

Happy New Year.

This discussion is very informative and offers various perspectives.

I am wondering whether there is an up to date in-depth report (complete with raw data) of  the complete innovation ecosystem in Kenya e.g: 
- universities & training institutions + their outputs
- R&D chain from ideation, proof of concept, ... commercializaion 
- tech sector players: all the way from startups to mature market players
- infrastructure 
- financing & its different flavours
- policy & regulations 
- SWOT of this ecosystem
- gaps in ecosystem and challenges
- bench-marking (if any) with successful ecosystems: Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, Ireland, ... 

Example 1: it would be interesting to see the skills demand versus output from academic institutions; ditto for availability of such talent as in tech business leadership.

Example 2: how does the regulatory environment support/drag/etc the innovation "train"? - what is? what ought to be? and what could be done?

Example 3: what's the attrition rate? How about mergers/acquisitions/consolidation?

Example 4: Innovation culture: how does this compare with that in successful ecosystems in such matters 
 
....

Regards
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