By Dr Caroline Mbaya and Dr Eunice Omwoyo
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), through the DigiKen Programme and its Green and Digital Innovation Hub (gDIH), has released a new policy brief highlighting how regional Digital Innovation Hubs can help bridge Kenya’s digital gender gap by empowering girls to become innovators rather than just technology users. Drawing on evidence from two DigiKen-supported girls’ hackathons in Garissa and Konza Technopolis, the brief demonstrates that access to mentorship, practical digital skills, responsible AI training, and innovation ecosystems enables girls to design technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges, including climate resilience, financial inclusion, maternal health, education, agriculture, online safety, and gender-based violence.
The policy brief calls on governments, development partners, and innovation stakeholders to invest in regional Digital Innovation Hubs, integrate hackathons and responsible AI into digital skills programmes, strengthen mentorship and incubation pathways, and establish intellectual property support to help young innovators transform ideas into sustainable enterprises.
To access the brief, please click the link below.
