Blog - @iLabAfrica

29Feb 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Empowering Smallholder Farmers Through IoT and AI

The plight of smallholder farmers in Kenya is significant, with more than 70% of the farming population falling into this category. These farmers are the backbone of the nation's food supply. Yet, they face myriad challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns, inadequate access to essential information, and limited resources to mitigate the impacts of climate change. In the heart of Kenya, smallholder farmers (SHFs) play a significant role in ensuring the nation’s food security. However, they face a profound challenge due to the adverse impacts of climate change and the lack of access to localized data, severely hindering their productivity and resilience. Nonetheless, a beacon of hope emerges through innovative technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies hold immense potential to revolutionize agricultural practices and empower…

29Feb 2024 by @iLabAfrica 5 Comments

Strathmore University & Absa Bank Financial Innovation Program Trainees Graduate

Data Science

SUAFI program graduates pose for a celebratory photo. Nairobi. The Strathmore University-Absa Financial Innovation (SUAFI) Program celebrated its first COHORT of graduates from the program. The partnership between @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University and ABSA Bank Limited oversaw the graduation of 105 ABSA Bank employees from the SUAFI program. The selected trainees, chosen from 500 applicants, were required to complete a mandatory Agile and Scrum Methodology course before specialising in their respective fields of deployment. The engaging training programme, which started in April 2023, got the trainees embarking on courses in Cybersecurity, Data Science, Business Intelligence, and DevOps & Automation. Dr Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica Research and Innovation Centre, cited the importance of the program, noting, “As a research centre of excellence in ICT innovation and development, we are proud to be…

27Feb 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Empowering African Youth Through Entrepreneurship.

Innovation & Incubation

The Dunin Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre Strathmore Chapter Program Launch recently marked a significant milestone in Africa's entrepreneurial landscape, bringing together key stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and the entrepreneurial spirit. This initiative, in partnership with iBizAfrica, Strathmore University, and Dunin Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), exemplified the power of universities and industries working hand in hand to foster entrepreneurship. A Photo of The DDQIC Top 20. Strathmore, Nairobi. The event served as a platform for attendees to gain invaluable insights and inspiration from those involved and a past program participant. Notable speakers included Oliver Omondi, the founder of ZuriPacks and a past program participant, who shared his journey and experiences in entrepreneurship. Dr. Joseph Sevilla, the Director of @iLabAfrica, passionately emphasized the urgency of empowering Africa's…

20Feb 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica-Strathmore University Meeting Demand in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity

In an era of unprecedented digital advancements and interconnectedness, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been more critical. As cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity and frequency, organizations and individuals face an uphill task of protecting their sensitive data and digital assets from malicious attacks. Cybersecurity is of utmost importance in our digitally connected world. As our reliance on technology continues to grow, so do the threats posed by cybercriminals and malicious actors. Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information, such as personal data and financial records, from falling into the wrong hands. @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University offers an Intermediate Certificate in Penetration Testing which is a comprehensive training program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the security posture of computer…

16Jan 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

A Blueprint for Enhanced Customer Experience in Financial Institutions.

Data Science

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…

01Dec 2023 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

How Universities are Accelerating Research and Innovation in East Africa.

Research & Innovation

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…

14Nov 2023 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica unveils the 2nd Global Data Science and AI Summit.

Artificial Intelligence, Data Science

@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…

24Oct 2023 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Bridging the Job and Skills Gap for Youth: Youth Employment Data-Driven Insights.

Data Science

In an increasingly interconnected digital world, prioritizing investments in education and skill development, especially for youth, is important, given that data-driven insights are shaping the path for the future. Recently, after a successful Data Science Hackathon, @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University joined forces with World Data Lab to host a thought-provoking discussion with the theme, ‘The Future of Consumer Class and Jobs.’ The event held at Strathmore University sought to shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s youth, especially in Kenya. With the African youth population projected to increase significantly in the next few years, it becomes important to address the job and skills gap that exists. Statistics from the World Data Lab revealed that over half of Kenya’s youth are employed in the informal sector. This finding highlights the challenges…