Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service of the Republic of Kenya, officially opened the Commercialisation and Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders’ (CEIL) Summit 2025 in Mombasa, delivering a powerful call to action for innovation and entrepreneurship to drive Kenya’s economic transformation.
The summit, themed Catalysing Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, brought together policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators to chart the future of Kenya’s innovation landscape.
In his keynote address, Koskei emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between research and industry by commercializing scientific findings and embedding innovation into Kenya’s manufacturing sector. “Innovation is not just about invention; it’s about transformation,”
Koskei declared, underscoring that the true measure of success lies in translating ideas into tangible economic impact. He advocated for robust technology transfer frameworks and comprehensive start-up support to ensure research outcomes reach the market.
Koskei also called for a paradigm shift in education, urging institutions to integrate entrepreneurship into curricula to equip students with practical skills and a problem-solving mindset. “Our youth must be empowered to create, not just consume,” he said, highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) when harnessed by innovators. He stressed that AI should be a tool for creation, enabling Kenyan entrepreneurs to develop solutions to pressing challenges such as unemployment and economic diversification.
The summit featured discussions on critical topics, including strategies to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems, strengthening industry-academia partnerships, unlocking funding and investment opportunities, and expanding access to regional markets.
Koskei’s vision for a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem resonated with attendees, who explored practical steps to align research with industry needs and foster cross-border trade within East Africa.
The event drew a distinguished audience, including Taita-Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime, Principal Secretary for Science, Research, and Innovation Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, and Tonny Omwansa, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency. Entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators from Kenya, the East African region, and across the globe also participated, sharing insights and forging partnerships to advance innovation-driven growth.
Koskei’s address set an optimistic tone for the summit, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to becoming a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. “By empowering our innovators and aligning education with industry needs, we can build an ecosystem that not only solves local challenges but also competes on the global stage,” he concluded.
