A Blueprint for Enhanced Customer Experience in Financial Institutions.
From the left: Dr. John Olukuru, Head of Data Science and Analytics at @iLabAfrica; Satyajit Turumella, IT Advisory Director at Grant Thornton Advisory East Africa; Ezekiel Macharia, CEO at Kenbright Holdings; and Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer at Absa Bank Kenya, during the GDSAI summit at Strathmore University, Nairobi.
How can financial institutions ensure inclusivity, digital transformation, and analytics in their operations for an enhanced customer experience?
This was the first topic of the first panel discussion at the 2nd annual Global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GDSAI) summit hosted by @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University last year
The panel, featured Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer at Absa Bank Kenya; Ezekiel Macharia, CEO at Kenbright Holdings; and Satyajit Turumella, IT Advisory Director at Grant Thornton Advisory East Africa, explored the transformative impact of digital technologies on financial services.
Digital transformation is revolutionizing the landscape of financial services, reshaping customer acquisition, improving client satisfaction, and simplifying banking procedures.
In the pre-revolution era, customers heavily depended on face-to-face interactions with bank staff, making processes such as opening accounts, conducting transactions, and accessing financial services time-consuming and paperwork-intensive.
The ongoing change is evident in more efficient banking procedures, achieved through the simplification of traditional processes through automation and digital interfaces. The significant move towards online and mobile platforms is an important factor in boosting accessibility, consequently contributing to an enhanced overall customer experience.
Mr. Macharia highlighted the importance of effective data storage and aggregation to ensure inclusivity in financial institutions, stating, “We ensure inclusivity, digital transformation, and analytics by looking for effective ways to store your data and finding ways we can aggregate data in a way that communicates to everyone.” This shows the significance of accessible and comprehensible data.
Digital transformation is not just a choice but a necessity for the financial sector, driven by escalating customer demands, complex regulatory environments, and intense competition within the sector.
In a 2022 report by McKinsey and Company, it was revealed that digital transformation in Africa constituted only 25 to 30 percent, a figure notably lower than the global average of 50 percent observed in markets such as America and Asia.
Within Kenya, the Equity Group has emerged as a pioneer in digital transformation, offering a comprehensive array of digital products that leverage technology to address the increasing need for convenient, accessible, and affordable banking services.
Mr. Ndungi elaborated on the practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), emphasizing its role in enhancing customer interactions by collecting and analyzing feedback, predicting customer behavior through scorecards, enabling organizations to cater to their needs effectively, suggesting suitable products to customers, and offering personalized experiences. The integration of AI is positioned as a strategic move to cater effectively to customer needs.
Although a lot of the financial sectors are trying to incorporate digital transformation, it comes with a concern, and that is how customer data needs to be protected. The protection of data is an important concern for organizations and businesses. With the increasing reliance on technology for storing and transmitting sensitive information, the threat of data breaches has become a major issue.
Satyajit Turumella addressed these concerns by presenting key considerations when managing and protecting data:
- Do you understand what your personal data is?
- Do you trust AI with your data?
- Do you trust the governance of the organization to which you consented to manage your data?
The insights from the panel discussion shed light on a path forward for financial institutions. The commitment to inclusivity and digital transformation emerges as a cornerstone in delivering an exceptional customer experience, shaping the trajectory of the financial industry in the years to come.
By Wachira Kevin.
How sensor technology is providing safe and efficient sanitation in the ghetto.
Stephen Gitahi (left) and Joseph Shitote, IoT engineers at @iLabAfrica, during the deployment of the sensor technology at Mathare, Nairobi.
As the global population continues to explode and more people flock to urban centers in search of improved opportunities, the demand for effective sanitation has never been more critical. Traditional methods of managing sanitation are struggling to keep pace with the challenges posed by climate change.
However, the Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the way innovators, industries, and local authorities approach public infrastructure management, particularly in the realm of sanitation. The primary objective of sanitation systems is to safeguard human health by creating a clean and hygienic environment through various methods. Yet, as urbanization escalates, ensuring access to safe and efficient sanitation becomes increasingly challenging, particularly for vulnerable urban populations living in slum areas.
In response to this pressing issue, Strathmore University, through its innovation and research center @iLabAfrica’s IoT department, conceived an idea that harnessed sensor technology to expand access to safe and efficient sanitation for urban communities.
The team’s research unveiled a stark reality: as urban populations burgeon, slum dwellers predominantly rely on pit latrines, which are not only challenging to manage but also prohibitively expensive to maintain. With no platform to connect pit users, waste collectors, and recyclers, organizing the collection of waste can be tedious, long, and expensive for individuals.
This reliance often leads to the overflow of latrines, contaminating human living spaces and water sources. Furthermore, many slum dwellers depend on local pit emptiers who manually dispose of waste into nearby water sources without protective gear, contributing to the proliferation of waterborne diseases.
To tackle these sanitation challenges head-on, the team engineered a cost-effective and robust sensor capable of measuring the fullness of pit latrines. The sensor measures fill levels and schedules the collection of waste through software that is harnessed by the power of IoT and sends automated SMS to pit owners and waste collectors.
The team also came up with a solution leveraging IoT using Lorawan infrastructure that connects the pit latrines and septic tanks on a platform that will provide data and processes for the user’s or home owners to improve the existing process of fecal waste removal.
This initiative not only addresses the dire sanitation needs of urban slum dwellers but also contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
The innovation that uses IoT technology in this context demonstrates the power of connectivity and data-driven solutions in transforming traditional methods of sanitation management. In India, a comparable situation unfolds, where a significant portion of the population still lacks access to enhanced sanitation facilities.
According to the National Library of Medicine in 2015, diarrhea was the third most common source of death in under-five children, responsible for 13 per cent deaths in this age group, killing an estimated 300,000 children in India each year.
This is primarily because of human exposure to feces containing harmful bacteria, resulting in the contamination of drinking water and food sources.
According to Wordbank in 2020, basic sanitation increased to 59.5 per cent. Between 2014 and 2019, the government of India claims to have built 110 million toilets, due to which the basic sanitation coverage went up from 38.7 per cent in October to 93.3 per cent in 2019.
Within the context of a smart city, the availability of water and effective sanitation measures emerge as important considerations.
Insufficient water supply arrangements and inadequate sanitary practices can have adverse consequences for households. Notably, a substantial amount of water waste in homes is attributed to poorly designed toilets.
However, efficiently crafted toilets that leverage the use of technology hold the promise of not only improving sanitation but also curbing water consumption and generating bio-fertilizers.
In the realm of future sanitation trends, we see a promising model in countries like Singapore whose population benefits from a cutting-edge sanitation system. Singapore’s success story is attributed to pioneering initiatives such as the deep tunnel sewerage system established by the Public Utilities Board (PUB).
This innovative system efficiently conveys used water solely through gravity to centralized water reclamation plants for advanced treatment and recycling, thereby reducing the risk of contamination between water catchments and used water systems.
As we look forward, countries like Kenya can draw inspiration from Singapore’s experience by investing in modernized sewerage infrastructure, modern toilets, wastewater treatment, and recycling facilities to ensure comprehensive sanitation coverage, mitigate health risks, and safeguard water resources.
As urbanization continues to shape our world, initiatives like this by @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University remind us that with the right technological innovations and collaborative efforts, we can create a safer, more hygienic future for all, regardless of where they call home.
This research and deployment activities was done in collaboration with Toilets4All (T4A, Switzerland) and Mobile Alert Toilets (MAT, Kenya)
By Wachira Kevin.
How Universities are Accelerating Research and Innovation in East Africa.
Ludovica Ochieng, Incubation Manager at @iBizAfrica presenting at the Education Collaborative East Africa Convening in Kampala.
Do universities stand at the nexus of research and innovation?
Yes, they do. Not only do these institutions draw curious minds, but they also offer a platform for fostering entrepreneurial skills and innovation. However, they also face the challenge of connecting students with employment opportunities in a job market that can be quite limited, both formally and informally.
Consider these staggering numbers: every year, around 10–12 million young Africans enter the job market, but there are only 3 million formal job positions available as per recent data. Additionally, the International Labor Organization reported that in 2020, youth unemployment rates in Africa were at 10.7%, higher than the global average of 13.6%.
To bridge this gap, university-industry partnerships have emerged as crucial connectors, with statistics from 2022 revealing that 46.8% of universities globally have established links with industries. This symbiotic relationship helps transform academic research into tangible products and services for the market.
Moreover, the rise of university-based incubators (UBIs) has been remarkable. Globally, there are now 150 university-based incubators; our business incubator, @iBizAfrica Innovation and Incubation Centre, is one of them and boasts over 12 years of experience in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial skills.
In 2012, when the incubator began, students were some of our earliest incubatees. Fast forward to today, and some of our startups have become the founders of successful startup solutions in Kenya and Africa, including names such as PurpInk, Eliteways Travel, SophieBot, MLedger, and Aurora Health Care. These startups have benefited from partnerships with organizations, leading to over USD 250,000 in funding across various sectors such as agritech, fintech, and edutech, with our business incubation center scaling over 800 startups through training, coaching, and mentorship.
What makes university-based incubators potent for innovation? They provide benefits such as nurturing research and development, involving students in real-world challenges, fostering collaboration among students, researchers, and industry professionals, and granting access to valuable resources like labs and expert faculty. Additionally, they serve as fertile grounds for students to incubate ideas, receive mentorship, access resources, and transform concepts into successful ventures. Their impact on fostering entrepreneurial skills and venture creation for innovation is indisputable.
In October, @iBizAfrica shared its insights at the Education Collaborative East Africa Convening in Kampala, joining higher education leaders, educators, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, regulators, policymakers, and government representatives from the East African region. The two-day event, “Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Graduate Employability for Regional Development,” aimed to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing and inspire innovative approaches within East African higher education.
One of the most engaging sessions revolved around the establishment of incubators within higher education institutions (HEIs). This discussion, facilitated by @iBizAfrica Incubation Manager, Ms. Ludovica Ochieng, delved into the technical, infrastructural, and financial complexities involved in setting up incubators on campus.
These were some key takeaways from her presentation on setting up incubators in HEIs:
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- The success factors of setting up incubators in HEIs include university leadership support, internal expertise from university faculty and staff, the student community that generates a good pipeline of incubatees, and strong industry relationships, among others.
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- To ensure incubator sustainability, HEIs must consistently enhance incubation processes, refine objectives and strategies for quality outcomes, adapt to innovation ecosystem trends, and encourage a blend of public and private funding sources, as well as a revenue-sharing model with investible startups.
The event emphasized the significance of commercializing university-based research output to drive innovation in East Africa. With the African continent contributing only 2% to global research output and allocating 1.3% of funding to research initiatives, increased investments are essential. Kenya’s Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) stands at 0.81%, equivalent to USD 2.06 billion, highlighting the urgent need for heightened investment. Despite effective knowledge transfer practices and strong intellectual property protection, the absence of patenting poses challenges to commercialization.
Preparing students for success requires collaboration with diverse stakeholders. HEIs alone cannot achieve this task; collaboration with various innovation stakeholders, including industry professionals, entrepreneurs, regulators, policymakers, and government representatives, is essential. Looking ahead, @iBizAfrica’s commitment to partnering with HEIs and sharing knowledge and experiences remains a key goal as they strive for a robust ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship within the education sector. @iBizAfrica is dedicated to collaborating with HEIs and sharing knowledge and experiences in this endeavor.
By Michelle Njeri.
@iLabAfrica Flags off the Full-Stack Software Development Cohort II
A full–stack software development session at the Ericsson lab, @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University. /Ngumu Kevin.
In a dedicated effort to provide aspiring software developers with the necessary skills and talents required in the sector, enabling them understand trends in the mobile industry and learn the latest coding languages such as HTML and CSS, JavaScript and Python, @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University kicked off its second cohort in the full-stack software development course this year.
The course is a 3-month program that enriches students with knowledge and skills in front-end and back-end development. Students are taught problem-solving skills, how to work as a team, creativity, and innovativeness, which empowers them to thrive in their roles as software developers by facilitating efficient issue resolution.
Data from Statista states, “The global developer population is expected to reach 28.7 million people by 2024, an increase of 3.2 million from the number seen in 2020.” This data shows the gravity this field holds in the future.
With the constant and increasing display of desire for Software developers by the world due to the growing reliance on technology in almost every aspect of life, @iLabAfrica is embarking on this course to address the global demand for skilled developers.
With the availability of modern equipments, @iLabAfrica is looking to aid in easing the market’s demand through their intense and interactive program that aims at releasing skilled graduates into the industry.
By Maina Gaikia.
Key Intellectual property and legal issues to consider when structuring your startup
Intellectual Properties.
In a bid to empower and inspire women entrepreneurs in the tech industry, @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University, in partnership with Standard Chartered Kenya, held the second Women in Tech Masterclass series.
The event delved deep into the fascinating realm of IP infrastructure for startups, shedding light on the theme of intellectual property and legal issues.
Universally, the tech industry is thriving like never before, and women are making significant strides in this field. However, in the fast-paced world of innovation and entrepreneurship, understanding the importance of owning intellectual property is important.
Intellectual property refers to intangible creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce. It includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, all of which can significantly impact the success and sustainability of tech startups.
There are many IP considerations when structuring a startup, and many founders tend to overlook the importance of owning an IP and are faced with questions of IP ownership in critical moments such as business registration or capital raises.
Most investors are mostly keen on these IP assets; thus, as a startup founder, one can be asked to show ownership documentation before making an investment. Businesses are occasionally made aware of IP ownership concerns during the due diligence process of potential investors; such issues may lead investors to either reject the investment opportunity or postpone it until the issue is resolved.
Leading the conversation was Dr. Melissa Omino, Director at the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT), Strathmore University. She said, “In the realm of IP, research is the key that unlocks innovation’s chest, helping you identify what’s worth protecting and ensuring your ideas are your most valuable assets.”
Dr. Melissa’s pointed out the following:
- Start with your IP strategy: As a business, focus on building and shaping your strategies around your IP. Prioritize what truly matters to your business model.
- Embed an IP culture in your startup: Regular IP audits are an essential step in identifying what licenses you are missing or need to renew.
- Share your IP now and then: but this also depends on various business factors. Take software developers, for instance; they regularly share code. Although this act might expose their copyrights, it does not entirely permit other developers to harness their product fully since they’ll only use the shared data to earn revenue.
Ms. Dorcas Chebet, Research Manager at CIPIT, mentioned the different types of IPs.
- Copyright: A type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship as soon as an author fixes the work into a tangible form of expression. It can be writers owning their written work or visual artists owning their designs.
- Trademarks: A sign that can be used to distinguish the goods or services of one company from those of other companies.
- Patent: An exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something or offers a new technical solution to a problem.
- Trade Secret: IP rights on confidential information that may not be sold or licensed.
Understanding how to protect IP is paramount for startups aiming to shape their niche in the market. The masterclass featured expert speakers who demystified IP concepts, highlighting their relevance and the legal implications involved. Participants gained insights into the different types of IP and learned how to safeguard their innovations from potential infringement.
Events like this act as catalysts for progress and change as women continue to create a place for themselves in the tech industry. The masterclass’s insights will undoubtedly inspire women entrepreneurs to follow their passions, take risks with their innovations, and contribute to the rapidly changing digital sector.
By Wachira Kevin.
@iLabAfrica unveils the 2nd Global Data Science and AI Summit.
Data science and AI enthusiasts during the 2nd Global Data Science and AI Summit at Strathmore University, Nairobi.
@iLabAfrica launched the 2nd Global Data Science and AI Summit (GDSAI) at Strathmore University on November 9, showcasing Kenya’s advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation.
The summit was graced by distinguished guests, including: H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; Mene Wamkele, Secretary General at African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA); and Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica. Many prominent figures from various industries also attended the summit, which marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards embracing and advancing AI.
Under the theme dubbed ‘Unlocking the Power of Big Data and AI, the summit provided valuable insights into data science and AI for individuals and organizations alike.
During a precursor pre-launch of the GDSAI summit on November 7, H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, said, “I welcome all of you to put forward your best ideas, perspectives, and insights in making sure that we utilize AI in the trade sector, not just for Kenya but for our continent and the world at large.”
In his opening remarks, Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the 2023 GDSAI Summit, focusing on emerging technology. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between local initiatives and global tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Apple, emphasizing the potential for positive change and technological advancements that benefit Kenya and the world at large.
“The 2nd GDSAI Summit has brought together over 150 key industry stakeholders from diverse sectors to demonstrate the transformative power of data science and AI in revolutionizing lives,” Dr. John Olukuru, Head of Data Science and Analytics at @iLabAfrica.
The summit’s first panel discussion, ‘Inclusivity, Digital Transformation, and Analytics in Financial Institutions,’ featured: Ezekiel Macharia, Managing Director and Chief Actuary at Kenbright; Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer at Absa Kenya; and Satyajit Turumella, IT Advisory Director at Grant Thornton Advisory East Africa.
During the discussion, Mr Macharia emphasized the importance of actively seeking efficient methods for data storage and exploring approaches to aggregate data. This, he stated, would facilitate communication for everyone, contribute to fostering inclusivity, drive digital transformation, and enhance analytics within financial institutions.
Mr Ndungi explored the diverse applications of AI in various business sectors, highlighting its versatility and potential in practical use cases.
- identifying potential customers and recommending suitable products, which not only boosts sales but also enhances customer satisfaction by adjusting products to individual preferences.
- collecting and analyzing feedback, hence enhancing customer interactions.
- creating scorecards that help in understanding and predicting customer behavior, allowing organizations to anticipate the needs of their customers more effectively.
Some of the other topics discussed during the panel discussions included:
- Use of Data to Improve Health Services and Analysis, and AI in Health. This panel featured: Samuel Oti, Senior Program Specialist at International Development Research Centre (IDRC); Dr. Ngure Nganga, Founder at Savannah Health Informatics and Dep. Sec. – Gen Kenya Health Informatics Information; Dr. Vinita Saini, CEO at Saadani Healthcare; and Jonathan Friedman, Director Data Science at Palladium.
- How AI and big data are driving forward the climate change agenda, emphasizing the pivotal role of data science and AI in forging a sustainable and resilient future. This panel featured: Dr. Angela Ndaka, Executive Director and Co-Founder at CAE Justice; Dr. Samuel Chege, Senior Research Scientist and Manager at Microsoft Africa Research Institute; Zeph Kivungi, Senior Associate at Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet; and Brian Nyangema, Managing Partner at Bayes Consulting.
- Adopting modern technologies such as precision agriculture, IoT devices, and AI driven analytics to optimize resource use, increase yields, and enhance farm efficiency. The panel featured: Chris Orwa, Head of Data Science at Brave Venture Labs; Alex Karanja, Head of Digital Transformation at Naivas Supermarket; and Sajni Malde, Data Scientist at World Data Labs.
- AI for development- use of data to improve development. This panel featured: Mariam Ibrahim, Senior Manager at Development Initiatives; Odanga Madung, Senior Researcher for Elections and Platform Integrity at Mozilla Foundation; Philomena Mbura, Data Scientist and WID Lead; and Rositsa Zaimova, co-founder at Dalberg Data Insights.
Notably, Kenya actively applies AI across agriculture, health, education, fintech, and transport, strategically positioning itself to harness Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies like AI.
Mene Wamkele, Secretary General at African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), said, “As the world is becoming more African, we need to move aggressively to integrate the market and the continent by creating opportunities for young Africans.”
According to a recent global survey, Kenya has been ranked fifth in Africa in terms of government preparedness to implement AI for public service delivery. The 2022 Government AI Readiness Index, published by Oxford Insights, assigns Kenya an overall score of 40.36 percent, positioning it behind Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia, and Morocco. Globally, Kenya is ranked 90th as nations brace for the expected disruptions from this emerging technology.
The summit attracted over 150 professionals, CEOs, and other senior managers, a representation of over 20 countries across the world, and offered networking with our various sponsors, speakers, and partners.
The 2nd GDSAI Summit serves as a testament to Kenya’s commitment to technological advancement and global collaboration in the ever-evolving landscape of data science and artificial intelligence. As the nation strives to unlock the power of big data and AI, these initiatives pave the way for a brighter and technologically empowered future.
By Wachira Kevin
Women in Tech Program awards 7 women-led startups with USD 70,000
- 7 Kenyan women-led startups awarded USD 70,000 through the Women In Tech Program
- To date, 64 start-ups have participated in the Women In Tech Program and 32 have been awarded over KES 38.4 Million in seed funding
The Standard Chartered Bank and @iBizAfrica – Strathmore University, through its partnership program the Women in Tech Incubator program has today awarded 7 women-led businesses with USD 70,000 marking the successful conclusion of the 6th cohort of the incubation program.
The award ceremony, themed Leveraging Technology for Impact, was presided over by The Standard Chartered Bank Board Member, Mr. Imtiaz Khan, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya CEO, Kariuki Ngari Strathmore University Vice Chancellor, Dr. Vincent Ogutu, and @iBizAfrica Incubation Centre- Strathmore University Director, Dr. Joseph Sevilla.
The 6th cohort of the Women in Tech Program, launched in March 2023, attracted a pool of over 250 startups from sectors such as agriculture, finance, transportation, health, and the construction industry. 15 women-led startups were shortlisted to undergo a 3-month incubation training modeled around the fundamentals of business idea conceptualization, strategy formulation, the Internet of Things (IoT), marketing, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Vincent Ogutu, the Vice Chancellor at Strathmore University, stated, “As we celebrate the graduation of this Women in Tech Cohort, it’s important to recognize the role of technology in our daily lives. A recent study has shown that only 14.6% of startups in Africa are founded by women; there is hope for a bigger representation. If women receive the right mentorship, training, and coaching, the tech ecosystem in Africa will thrive even more. Currently, 30.9% of all new tech roles are filled by female candidates, showing a slight increase from 29% in the previous year, according to recent statistics. Academia and the private sector need to collaborate more on programs like this that support women-led businesses”.
These 15 teams are an increase from the previous cohorts, where 10 businesses were incubated and 5 startups per cohort received funding.
Speaking during the event, Mr.Kariuki Ngari, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya & East Africa said, “Supporting women-led enterprises is a key component of our ambition to impact and influence the growth of the SME sector, and the Women in Tech programme enables us to bring this vision to life. We have been able to catalyse growth through our latest cohort and are confident that the entrepreneurs who have gone through the programme will be better positioned to take up the opportunities in across the various sectors that they serve.”
The funding recipients were picked after a rigorous judging process undertaken by accomplished industry experts in both private and public sectors, seasoned entrepreneurs, and academic thought leaders on solution innovation, availability of market opportunity, and social impact in Kenya, among other criteria.
The seven awarded women-led startups demonstrated excellence based on three main criteria:
- A female-led start-up business that solves social economic needs in Kenya
- An innovative startup that utilizes emerging technologies ie. Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and virtual Reality; 3D & 4D Printing; Cloud Computing; Big Data; Blockchain; Drone Technology, and Biometrics.
- A business model with a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) alignment
The Women In Tech Top 7 startups for this year are as follows:
- Sign-With Us – Sign with Us is a Sign language training institution that teaches sign language to anyone around the world who has a passion for sign language, or may interact with a deaf person in their line of work.
- Saidiwa Rides – Aims to bridge the gap between unreliable public transportation and relatively expensive digital taxis with a novel driver-passenger pairing model that permits daily commuters to share taxi seats and share costs.
- Imani Health – An e-wallet that enables people to save specifically for healthcare. It breaks down large payments into piecemeal payments that one can easily pay over time before they need the healthcare service.
- Know Learning Ltd – Revolutionizes parental engagement by providing a user-friendly platform that bridges the gap between schools and parents.
- PanaCare- A healthcare company that provides affordable telemedicine services using USSD technology for consultations, remote monitoring, and health management tools without internet access.
- Rhea Soil Health Management – Rhea provides access to soil testing and agricultural extension services to smallholder farmers, analyzing soil and providing results and fertilizer recommendations through a machine learning-powered recommendation system.
- Instruct Africa -Instruct is a legal tech company that leverages tech and data to provide legal assurance to matatu drivers and bodaboda operators. Our mission is to democratize access to justice and legal tools in the informal sector.
In today’s increasingly digitized landscape, emerging technologies have become essential for startup innovators to integrate into their ventures. Notably, AI startup funding in Kenya is valued at KES 13 billion according to a recent survey. However, the adoption rate of such technologies in Kenya remains relatively low at 28.76%, falling below the global average of 35.17%.
Since its inception, the program has trained more than 64 women-led businesses leveraging on technology by offering mentorship, advisory, coaching, networking opportunities, access to seed capital, and investor forums that help mold their businesses to international standards. To date, 32 startups have been awarded over KES 1.2 million (USD 10,000) in seed funding with the first five cohorts attracting over 2,000 applications.
Unlocking the Future: Upcoming 2nd Global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Summit
In today’s world, where data and artificial intelligence (AI) is a big part of our everyday lives, the transformative potential of these technologies cannot be underrated.
@iLabAfrica-Strathmore University, is preparing for the 2nd Global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GDSAI) summit at Strathmore University on the 9th-10th November.
This year’s theme is ‘Unlock the Power of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, a Gateway to Understanding and Harnessing the Incredible Possibilities of Data Science and AI.
What to expect
The summit will cover a variety of sectors, such as Agritech, AI, Business, Finance, Climate Change, Data Protection and many more.
The summit is designed to provide individuals and organizations with valuable insights into the fields of data science and AI. Speakers will delve into a variety of compelling topics on Data Protection and Governance in the AI Era, which will shed light on the ethical implications of data and AI usage in Kenya’s diverse sectors.
Participants will be equipped with invaluable tools to navigate the intricate ethical terrain of this AI-driven age.
Participants will get to explore more about the ongoing technological transformation in the agricultural sector, such as precision farming and AI-driven analytics, which will not only optimize their crop yields but also secure global food sustainability for future generations.
Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to see and learn how AI and big data are reshaping the healthcare sector, from the predictive capabilities of analytics to the life-saving potential of preventive care.
The summit has lined up professional speakers such as Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer at Absa Bank Kenya; Ezekiel Macharia, Managing Director and Chief actuary at Kenbright; Mariam Ibrahim, senior manager at development initiatives; Odanga Madung, senior researcher for elections and platform integrity at the Mozilla Foundation; and Coach Timothy Oriedo, founder and CEO of Predictive Analytics Lab.
By attending the GDSAI summit, participants will:
- Have the opportunity to network and gain insights from industry experts.
- Develop a practical understanding of how data science and AI can be applied across industries.
- Discover and create career opportunities in the dynamic fields of data science and AI.
- Expand their knowledge base of AI and data science.
- Enhance their skill set.
Seize this opportunity by registering now at the GDSAI Summit 2023 to secure your spot at the 2nd GDSAI Summit.
Together, let’s unlock the boundless potential of data science and artificial intelligence.
For more information, contact:
Michelle Kiprono
@iLabAfrica- Strathmore University
Mobile:
Email: michelle.kiprono@strathmore.edu
By Wachira Kevin
@iLabAfrica 