Digital technologies have the potential to drive inclusive and sustainable growth by fostering innovation, generating efficiencies, and improving services. The dSkills@EA project supports digital innovations by creating an enabling environment for skilling, training, and capacity development of young innovators at universities, facilitating the transition of research outputs into scalable market innovations. This effort aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4).

The project supports innovation and entrepreneurship through a regional network of innovation hubs, multi-stakeholder platforms, and technology transfer mechanisms. We focus on building capacity and training in innovation management and commercialization at universities, benefiting young innovators and university incubation centers.

We strengthen partnerships with regional innovation ecosystem networks and maintain ongoing collaborations with accelerator and incubator hubs across the East African Community (EAC) Partner States.

In 2021, the dSkills@EA project launched the “Digital Innovations for Business Resilience in EAC” campaign, identifying and supporting young innovators from universities with potential growth ideas. The six-month capacity-building program equipped participants with the knowledge and tools to develop digital products from ideation to prototype. The program was successful, with participants launching Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and testing market viability.

In 2024, we launched the Digital Innovation for Business Resilience in the EAC – Innovators Sprint up Programme, building on the success of the 2021 training. This programme will build the capacity of 210 young innovators and budding entrepreneurs at universities across the seven EAC Partner States.

It will support them establish sustainable business models, gain essential knowledge and tools for startup ventures, scale up for growth and investment, and connect with the innovation ecosystem network for mentorship, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning