KENIA (Kenya National Innovation Agency)

Supports Kenyan innovation ecosystems, commercialization programs, startup development, and national entrepreneurship capacity.

KENIA (Kenya National Innovation Agency) is a state corporation that develops and manages Kenya's national innovation system, catalysing jobs and wealth creation through commercialisation of research and ideas. It was established under the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013 alongside two sister agencies: NACOSTI (research regulation) and NRF Kenya (research grants).

KENIA's direct cash disbursements are limited to the Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) — a national prize competition awarding KES 2–5 million to top innovators across university, youth, startup, and research-to-commercialisation categories. Beyond PIA, KENIA operates the R2C Accelerator (a non-cash training/mentorship programme co-funded with the UK's RISA/FCDO), the Kenya Innovation Bridge matchmaking platform, the Innovation Academy, and convening events including Kenya Innovation Week and STRI4Society.

KENIA is currently supervised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports (as of 2024–2026 under President Ruto's government restructuring), though its own 'about-us' page still references the Ministry of Education context from its original establishment.