@iLabAfrica - @iLabAfrica

30Jun 2026 by @iLabAfrica

British Council CEO Applauds Student Innovators During ASLIA Showcase at Strathmore University

Student-led startups demonstrate the transformative potential of youth innovation through the Accelerating Student-Led Innovation in Africa (ASLIA) Programme Student entrepreneurs under the Accelerating Student-Led Innovation in Africa (ASLIA) Programme showcased innovative solutions with the potential to address real-world challenges during a visit by British Council Chief Executive Officer, MacDonald Scott, at Strathmore University. The showcase brought together students, university leaders, mentors and programme partners to celebrate the progress of student-led ventures that are being nurtured through structured mentorship, capacity building, incubation and cross-border collaboration. ASLIA is a collaborative venture development initiative funded by the British Council and implemented in partnership with Imperial College London, @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University and Circle Innovation. The programme supports student-led startups from Kenya and South Africa as they transition from ideation to commercialisation through comprehensive entrepreneurial support…

20Jun 2026 by @iLabAfrica

Strathmore University Hosts Inaugural DataSprint 2026, Empowering 135 Students to Tackle Kenya’s Financial Inclusion Challenges Through Data Science

Data Science

@iLabafrica-Strathmore University, through a collaboration with the Strathmore Data Community (SDC), successfully hosted the inaugural DataSprint 2026, a week-long data science hackathon that brought together 135 students to address real-world challenges in financial inclusion using national survey data. Held from 12–19 June 2026, the competition challenged students to analyse the 2024 FinAccess Household Survey and develop data-driven solutions to understand the factors influencing the financial wellbeing of Kenyan adults. The event attracted 45 teams comprising students from diverse academic backgrounds and varying levels of experience, ranging from first-year students to senior undergraduates. A total of 33 teams submitted completed projects after an intensive week of analysis, modelling and collaboration. Addressing a Real National Challenge Participants worked with data from 20,871 adults across all 47 counties, collected through the 2024 FinAccess…

19Jun 2026 by @iLabAfrica

@iLabAfrica Celebrates Executive Education Graduates in Software Development, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Marketing

Executive Education

@iLabAfrica, Strathmore University's Centre of Excellence in ICT Innovation and Development, celebrated the graduation of learners from its Executive Education Unit, marking the successful completion of the Software Development Course, AI Professional Programme and Digital Marketing Masterclass. The graduation ceremony brought together over 120 professionals from diverse sectors, reflecting the growing demand for practical digital skills and lifelong learning in an increasingly technology-driven world. The programmes equipped participants with industry-relevant competencies through hands-on, project-based learning designed to address real-world challenges. Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Lorna Mutegi, Executive Education Manager at @iLabAfrica, commended the graduates for their resilience and commitment to completing their learning journeys despite balancing careers, family responsibilities and other personal commitments. "Today, we celebrate more than the completion of a course—we celebrate the power of finishing. Each…

26May 2026 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Kenya and Italy Convene Global Experts to Advance AI and Quantum Research Agenda

Data Science

NAIROBI, Kenya @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University, in partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi, hosted a high-level thought leadership forum themed "The Future of Intelligence" on 18 May 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and students to examine the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, and scientific discovery. The event was addressed by Prof. Simone Severini, Distinguished Professor in Quantum Computing at the University of Bristol and Director of Quantum Technologies at Amazon Web Services (AWS), whose keynote explored the intersection of AI, quantum computing, and the future of scientific research. Prof. Severini noted that AI systems are increasingly capable of accelerating discovery alongside human researchers, stating that "machines are becoming co-scientists" in complex problem-solving environments. Ambassador Vincenzo Del Monaco, Italy's Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia and…

22May 2026 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica Celebrates I-UMEME Electrical Safety Certification Class of 2026

I-UMEME

Strathmore University's @iLabAfrica marks a landmark graduation in Kenya's push for world-class electrical safety standards, featuring insights from global industry leaders and inspiring student voices. Nairobi, Kenya — @iLabAfrica - Strathmore University proudly celebrated the graduation of the I-UMEME Electrical Safety Certification Class of 2026, marking a significant milestone in Kenya's commitment to building a safer, more professional electrical workforce. The ceremony brought together graduates, industry leaders, trainers, and entrepreneurs both in-person and virtually united by a shared conviction: that electrical safety is not optional, it is essential. The I-UMEME program, offered in partnership with WISEe (Women in Sustainable Energy and entrepreneurship), equips participants with H0-B1V and B2V certifications demonstrating proficiency in electrical safety protocols, risk management, and best practices across residential, industrial, and national grid settings. Strathmore University has…

15Apr 2026 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Short Courses vs Full Degrees: Which is Better for Data Careers?

Data Science

The Question That’s Quietly Shaping Thousands of Futures: Careers are being made and lost over a single skill gap and almost everyone considering a future in data is asking the same question. Should I go back to university… or just take a short course? It sounds like a simple choice but behind it lies something deeper. Time, money, uncertainty, and the fear of making the wrong decision. Imagine two people. Lesley, just finished high school. She’s been told the “safe path” is a full degree. Four years, structured learning, and a recognized qualification. Then there’s Ryan. He is already working in marketing. He keeps hearing about dashboards, analytics, and AI. He doesn’t have four years. He needs a skill, now! Both want the same thing: A future in data, but…

20Mar 2026 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Kenyan Youth Innovators Win Ksh 500,000 for Building Civic Tech Solutions to Track Political Campaign Financing

Campaign Finance Watch Tool, Hackathon

iLabAfrica- Strathmore University and Transparency International Kenya spotlight data-driven tools to promote transparency and accountability in politics at the 2026 Campaign Finance Watch Hackathon Nairobi, Kenya – 19th March 2026....iLabAfrica, in partnership with Transparency International Kenya, successfully hosted the Campaign Finance Watch Tool Hackathon 2026, bringing together some of Kenya’s brightest young innovators to develop a civic technology platform designed to track political financing, visualise campaign spending, and monitor the misuse of public resources during election campaigns. Held at Strathmore University, the hackathon convened students, developers, and civic tech enthusiasts to tackle one of Kenya’s most pressing governance challenges: opaque, unregulated campaign financing. The event comes amid growing concern over the influence of opaque political financing in Kenya’s elections and ahead of preparations for the 2027 General Elections. Over the…

17Mar 2026 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Standard Chartered invests KES 22.5m on Women in Tech

Women in Tech

17th March 2026, Nairobi, Kenya – The Standard Chartered Foundation, in partnership with @iBizAfrica – Strathmore University and Village Capital, today officially launched Cohort 9 of the Women in Tech Kenya programme under the theme “Inspire Impact.” Now in its ninth cohort, the Women in Tech programme continues to support women-led, tech-enabled startups by providing structured business training, mentorship, access to networks, and catalytic funding opportunities. The programme is designed to help earlystage entrepreneurs strengthen their business models, scale their ventures, and create meaningful economic and social impact. The launch marks the opening of applications for Women in Tech Kenya Cohort 9, inviting women-led, tech-enabled startups from across Kenya to apply. Selected entrepreneurs will participate in an intensive accelerator programme that equips founders with the skills and support needed to…

24Feb 2026 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Do I Need Data Science in My Career? Yes, Here’s Why!

Data Science

Not too long ago, a young professional sat staring at their phone. They had just ordered food online, checked their bank balance, liked a post on Instagram, and replied to an email. What they didn’t realize was that, in just five minutes, they had created data. Lots of it. Hidden behind the scenes, data was quietly being collected, cleaned, and analyzed, all for one purpose. To help systems make decisions in real time, such as: What food should be recommended next? Was that bank transaction suspicious? What kind of content should appear on their Instagram feed? That invisible work happening quietly in the background is what we call data science. So… What Is Data Science, Really? Data science is simply the art of using data to understand what is happening, why it…

05Feb 2026 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica Hosts Pre-Mission Connect 2026 to Advance CIO Leadership and Global Digital Partnerships

CIO Leadership Programme

Last Friday, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University convened CIOs, policymakers, and technology leaders at Trademark Hotel, Village Market, Nairobi, for Pre-Mission Connect 2026, a strategic forum designed to explore leadership challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital economy. At the heart of the event was a focus on the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Leadership Programme — an initiative by @iLabAfrica aimed at equipping current and future CIOs with the strategic, governance, and execution skills needed to lead digital transformation in organisations across sectors. Pre-Mission Connect 2026 brought together leaders to reflect on how cross-border digital partnerships, notably between Thailand and Kenya, can inform and elevate CIO practice, contributing to national competitiveness, organisational resilience, and sustainable digital ecosystems. Partnerships, Leadership, and Strategic Dialogue The forum opened with remarks by Miss Piyaporn Putanapan,…

Author: @iLabAfrica