The fourth edition of the Pwani Innovation Week has been slated for October 2 to 6 at the Swahilipot Hub in Mombasa.

The organisers of the tech fair, Swahilipot Hub Foundation and Mombasa County Government alongside other partners announced that this year’s edition will happen at various destinations around the region with the heart of events being at the Swahilipot Hub Foundation.

Speaking during the media launch of the event, Swahilipot Hub founder Mahmoud Noor said that the tech fair aims to help create a widespread culture of innovation and stimulate the innovation ecosystem in the region.

This year’s edition has been themed ‘Sailing beyond borders; Empowering youth in the digital economy for a sustainable future’.

“This year’s edition will see the exchange of ideas on business enterprise solutions, interactive forum discussions on the Pwani’s economy, talks on education & skills development, exhibitions among other activities all aimed at ensuring youth in the Pwani region of East Africa are constantly connected to opportunities for economic growth,” said Noor. 

Noor said that Swahilipot Hub Foundation and Mombasa County Government are dedicated to supporting the youth in overcoming challenges and thriving in the Ecosystem.

He said that through strategic partnerships with communities, government entities, public/private sectors, development partners and the academia, they can leverage the strengths and diversity of individuals from all backgrounds to empower young people and enhance their quality of life.

He added that with a strong commitment to inclusivity, cooperation, self-reliance, and respect for diversity, it allows young individuals to take charge of their journey, while making long-term investments, forging partnerships, and fostering a vibrant culture of youth engagement in all aspects of development.

“The societies of the present and future depend on an empowered youth to imagine these into being. Youth must also be provided with the right ecosystem for this imagination to thrive and rise to contend with factors like climate change, high levels of unemployment, poverty, and conflicts that threaten this future,” Noor said.

The objectives of the innovation week he said includes showcasing the East Africa's Pwani region innovation potential, enhancing driving economic growth, fostering collaboration, and addressing regional challenges.

Other objectives he said include encouraging local participation through empowerment, including the creation of a vibrant innovation ecosystem and the retention of local talent in the region, and to also attract investment through its unique industries and rich biodiversity and promote the East Africa's coastal region visibility.

The Swahilipot Hub Foundation head of communications Suhayl Hamid said that one of the foreseen outcome of the tech week is the establishment of partnerships between startups, investors, academia and government agencies.

This he said will result in increased job creation, investment opportunities, and overall economic development.

“We foresee empowerment and ownership among the local participants, ultimately contributing to the long-term growth and sustainability of Innovations, startups of the Pwani Region of East Africa,” said Hamid.

He added that they hope to champion and achieve policy recommendations to further develop the economy of the East African coastal region and also hope to launch of partner initiatives to enhance the development of innovative ideas and capabilities.

“Through the realization of these objectives, the Pwani Innovation Week, facilitates economic prosperity, social empowerment, and positions the Pwani region of East Africa as a hub for innovation and progress on both regional and international platforms which contributes to the long-term development and sustainability,” Hamid said.

The week-long event will entail a number of activities including innovation challenge and hackathons, training bootcamps and workshops, keynote speeches and panel discussions, women in Tech, Ubunifu zone (Exhibition) and cultural identity and digital spaces.