|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The government is being challenged to empower young innovators and create platforms that foster growth and financial autonomy among the youth.
According to Green Africa Chairperson and conservationist Dr. Isaac Kalua Green, Africa, and Kenya in particular, are brimming with opportunities driven by young innovators who are reshaping the country’s operations and future.
Dr. Kalua emphasised the need for increased investment in innovation hubs, noting that today’s youth are more inclined toward autonomy than traditional employment.
He said supporting their ideas could open new pathways for Kenya to compete on the global stage.
Citing the example of Safaricom’s MPESA, which started as a small idea in 2007 and has since revolutionised mobile money globally, Dr. Kalua pointed out that nurturing local ideas can yield world-changing innovations.
MPESA’s success, he noted, came from its early recognition and adoption by Safaricom, which propelled it onto the international stage and inspired countless other innovations.
Dr. Kalua added that Kenya’s high youth unemployment rate, currently at 40 per cent, according to the Kenya Bureau of Statistics, could be addressed by channelling more resources toward youth-led innovations.
He urged the government to move away from focusing solely on grand, high-cost solutions and instead support smaller, youth-driven ideas that require minimal investment but have the potential to grow into significant income-generating ventures that could transform the country’s economy.
Dr. Kalua made the remarks during the Warriors for Good Awards 2025, where young people and organisations were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to innovation and societal change.
During the event, Green Africa was also recognised for its impactful investment in environmental conservation.
Additionally, Dr. Kalua challenged the government to rethink its ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
He proposed introducing incentives for individuals who plant and nurture trees, positioning tree planting as an opportunity to tap into the carbon credit market and create new income streams.
