Indonesia seeks youth innovation partnerships with Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya — Indonesia is looking to strengthen its partnership with Kenya by focusing on youth innovation, digital entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies, aiming to capitalize on the growth of their digital economies. The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi is advocating for increased collaboration between young innovators in Asia and Africa, arguing that a greater exchange of knowledge and practical solutions could spur entrepreneurship and inclusive economic development.

Indonesian Minister Counsellor for Information, Social and Cultural Affairs Raden Wisnu Lombardwinanto highlighted this potential during Pwani Innovation Week 2026 in Mombasa on October 30. The minister suggested that cooperation should go beyond traditional diplomatic ties, involving practical partnerships between young entrepreneurs, universities, technology hubs, and creative industries.

He emphasized that the challenge now is not just about enhancing connectivity, but transforming digital access into opportunities, productivity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. Potential areas for collaboration were outlined, including the digital and creative economies, renewable energy, food security, and the blue economy, along with university and innovation hub exchanges.

The event, attended by over 2,500 participants from the East African coastal region, also celebrated ten years of the Swahili pot Hub Foundation, which has been instrumental in supporting young people’s skill development and entrepreneurial ventures. Lombardwinanto stressed that innovation should be evaluated not just by technological progress but by its capacity to generate opportunities and tackle community challenges.

He pointed to Indonesia’s progress in digital access, where internet penetration stands at 74.6 percent compared to Kenya’s 48 percent, as evidence of the country’s leadership. The diplomat also noted that Kenya is the second-largest recipient of Indonesia’s Aid Scholarship among 16 participating countries, with 40 Kenyan students benefiting from the initiative.

Earlier this year, the Indonesian Embassy collaborated with Kenyan and Indonesian universities to host a youth-to-youth dialogue, engaging over 150 participants in person and approximately 200 online. Lombardwinanto called for a revival of the 1955 Asian-African Conference's spirit of South-South cooperation, encouraging young people from both continents to form partnerships, innovate, and work on shared global issues.

He urged innovation platforms like Pwani Innovation Week to convert these discussions into actionable initiatives that empower young people, enhance cross-border collaborations, and foster enduring economic opportunities.