Blog - @iLabAfrica

31Jul 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

GenAI’s Role in the New Wave of Banking and Financial Services

Arficial intelligence is not new – it has been a topic of research since the 1950s and has been deployed in financial services since the 1980s. But conventional AI (so called, “Predicve AI”), while powerful, is expensive and complex to deploy. As a result, it has been used in a limited number of areas in the financial services sector, such as real-time trading or estimation of loan default risk. In 2022, a new generation of AI came to public view in the form of ChatGPT. Unlike the earlier predictive AI, these “Generative AI” systems can be used directly to solve problems, without training or the need for data scientists. Generative AI can be thought of as a general tool that can be applied in a huge number of ways and…

09Jul 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Strathmore University and African Telecommunications Union Sign MoU to Grow Digital Talent and Shape Internet Policy

Press Release, Research & Innovation

Nairobi, 1st July 2025: The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University have entered a renewable two-year Memorandum of Understanding that places the University’s Research & Innovation Centre as a strategic academic partner in ATU’s continent-wide drive for advanced digital skills, innovation, and evidence-led policy research. The pact provides both institutions with a clear runway to convert shared ambitions into measurable outcomes. Under the MoU, @iLabAfrica will forge a long-term strategic alliance dedicated to research, capacity-building, and the sustainable growth of ICT and innovation ecosystems across Africa. Central to this collaboration is a joint study aimed at strengthening the continent’s influence in global internet-public-policy forums and producing a harmonised framework for internet governance. The University will contribute expert faculty and academic staff to co-deliver provisions of the MoU. In turn,…

19Jun 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Strathmore University and Next Step Foundation Join Forces to Deliver Transformative AWS Skilling Programme

Cloud Computing

Strathmore University (SU), through its iLabAfrica Research and Innovation Centre, and the Next Step Foundation (NSF) are excited to announce the signing of a Collaboration Agreement on June 4, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. This strategic partnership will deliver a cutting-edge Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Skilling Programme, empowering students, faculty, and marginalized communities (especially youth and Persons with Disabilities) with industry-relevant cloud computing skills to thrive in the digital economy. By combining Strathmore University’s world-class academic infrastructure and research capabilities with NSF’s expertise as an AWS Training Partner, the partnership creates a powerful synergy to bridge the cloud computing and digital skills gap. The programme will equip participants with the tools to excel in high-demand, cloud-based careers while advancing innovation and digital inclusion. The initiative will focus on: Training Strathmore…

03Jun 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica, Prepares 100 Students for a Data-Driven World

Data Science

Data science has evolved from being just a buzzword to a powerful force shaping our daily lives and how businesses operate. In today's world, it is the force behind the way we shop, bank, and operate businesses. Imagine a situation where financial institutions can predict when a client is about to default, or even cancel their credit card before it happens. Better yet, what if a single patient record data point could lead to a life-saving discovery? Imagine researchers using data to uncover hidden patterns, predict health outcomes, and even design breakthrough treatments. Yes, this is how far data analytics can take modern medicine. At its core, data science is the art of turning raw information into meaningful insight. Using advanced algorithms and analytical techniques, it reveals trends, uncovers patterns,…

03Jun 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

CIO Leadership Masterclass: Leading Through Influence, Not Authority

Executive Education

Over the years, the role of the Chief Information Officer has evolved from a purely technical focus to a more strategic position within organizations aiming to foster innovation. In today's landscape, where digital transformation is more about people than platforms, CIOs must go beyond the traditional bounds of technology management and take on broader leadership responsibilities During a recent session of the CIO Leadership Programme, Anthony Gacanja, Director of Networks at Safaricom, delivered a presentation on navigating politics, exercising influence, and practicing ethical leadership to drive meaningful transformation. The following were the key takeaways from his session: Caption: Anthony Gacanja, Director of Networks, Safaricom What Kind of Power do CIOs Have? Leadership requires CIOs to understand what different types of powers they have and how they can utilize them to…

22May 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Standard Chartered Launches the Second Cohort of the ‘Women in Cyber’ Mentorship Programme to Close East Africa’s Cybersecurity Skills Gap

Cybersecurity, Women in Cyber

Caption: Engineer Dr Julius Butime, Dean School of Computing, Strathmore University and Nivedita Sharma- Board Member Kenya, Standard Chartered Kenya. The initiative will equip early-career women in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania with world-class technical training, mentorship and CPD-recognised learning. 21 May 2025, Nairobi, Kenya – Standard Chartered in partnership with @iLabAfrica - Strathmore University today unveiled the second cohort of the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme, a hybrid initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of female cybersecurity leaders across East Africa. Delivered through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, the programme will pair mentees with industry experts, provide hands-on technical and soft skills training, and offer Continuous Professional Development (CPD) credits. Cybersecurity talent remains scarce worldwide: women hold 22 per cent of roles in the profession, while an estimated 2.5 million positions remain unfilled globally. Africa accounts…

29Apr 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Young Innovators Shine at 4th ATU Innovation Challenge Finale

Research & Innovation

The Innovation Challenge winners pose with the ATU partners. The 4th edition of the ATU Africa Innovation Challenge came to a close on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Strathmore University in Nairobi, with an inspiring awards ceremony honoring ten exceptional young innovators from Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Kenya. Hosted by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the event drew high-level leaders from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), and lead sponsor Huawei Technologies. The ceremony marked the grand finale of a rigorous program designed to empower Africa’s brightest minds in technology and innovation. The winning innovators were selected from a continent-wide pool and awarded an all-expenses-paid AI training program at Strathmore’s @iLabAfrica, one of the region’s premier ICT innovation hubs. The intensive course, led by…

21Apr 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Training Africa’s Future AI Leaders: Africa Innovation Challenge Finalists Begin Intensive Week-Long Programme

Research & Innovation

@iLabAfrica, Huawei, and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) have joined forces in a historic collaboration to deliver a week-long intensive training programme for the 10 finalists of the 4th edition of the Africa Innovation Challenge. This flagship initiative, co-facilitated by Huawei and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), underscores a shared commitment to nurturing young African talent and fostering homegrown innovation. Launched in 2020, the Africa Innovation Challenge is an annual competition designed to identify and support young innovators and institutions developing solutions to pressing challenges on the continent. The 4th edition of the Challenge focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), spotlighting groundbreaking ideas from innovators under age 35 who are leveraging AI to transform their communities and sectors. The initiative continues to serve as a platform to empower youth, promote digital…

09Apr 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Why Every Business Needs a Data Protection Officer—Even Small Ones

Executive Education

Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) mistakenly believe that data protection is only a concern for large corporations. However, high-profile breaches involving the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Commercial Bank have exposed sensitive client data, including names, ID numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers. These incidents underscore a critical truth. No business is immune to cyber threats. Past breaches are a stark reminder of the growing vulnerabilities that all businesses, regardless of size, face in the digital age. In today's digital economy, data is one of a business’s most valuable assets. Growing businesses, whether medium or large-sized, play a vital role in driving economic growth and innovation in Africa, including Kenya. However, with increasing regulations and rising consumer awareness about privacy, protecting this data is no longer optional. Recognizing…

28Mar 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

I-Umeme Project Launches First ever B2V Level Electrical Safety Course at @iLabAfrica

I-UMEME

The first B2V level student to undergo training: Mulinge Vincent Muthama carries out training activities under Dr. Dillmann’s guidance such as testing the absence of voltage on an AVR electrical cabinet. Following the success of the I-UMEME Electrical Safety Program, funded by ADESFA, which trained 265 students in the H0-B1V electrical safety level, the initiative has expanded to introduce a more advanced training level. Nineteen graduates from the H0-B1V course progressed to the newly launched B2V electrical safety program, with plans to train additional cohorts in the future. The B2V program officially commenced on February 19, 2025, adopting a hands-on training approach that allowed participants to interact directly with electrical components and safety gear. The practical sessions were held at iLabAfrica, led by visiting instructor Prof. Nicolas Lardenois from UPHF,…