New collaboration will connect university research with industry expertise to develop practical technology solutions, strengthen digital skills and support innovation across Kenya and the region
@iLabAfrica – Strathmore University, a Research and Innovation Centre, and Impax Business Solutions Limited have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the development and application of technology solutions to address real-world challenges facing businesses and institutions in Kenya and the wider region.
The partnership, formalized during a signing ceremony in Nairobi on 19 August 2026, brings together @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University’s research, innovation and academic capabilities with Impax Business Solutions’ experience in enterprise technology and digital transformation. The collaboration will focus on translating research and emerging technologies into practical applications while strengthening the pipeline of digital talent equipped to respond to industry needs.
Under the partnership, the two organizations will collaborate on applied research and innovation, knowledge exchange, skills development, mentorship, industry engagement and the development of technology-driven solutions. The collaboration will also create opportunities for students, researchers and industry professionals to engage more closely in solving practical challenges through technology.
The partnership comes at a time when organizations across Kenya and the region are increasingly looking to technology not only to improve operational efficiency, but also to create new models of service delivery, strengthen decision-making and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
“This partnership provides an important bridge between research, education and industry application. By working closely with Impax Business Solutions, we can create opportunities for our researchers and students to engage with real industry challenges while advancing solutions that have practical relevance beyond the university. Our shared ambition is to contribute to a stronger innovation ecosystem where research translates into tangible impact.”
Dr Joseph Sevilla, Director, @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University.
For Impax Business Solutions, the collaboration provides an opportunity to deepen engagement with academia while contributing industry expertise to research, skills development and innovation initiatives.
“Every digital transformation we’ve delivered over the past two decades comes down to the same thing: people. This partnership with @iLabAfrica gives us a direct line into Kenya’s next generation of ICT talent and gives our Dynamics 365 practice a research partner that pushes us to keep building solutions that actually solve problems on the ground, not just on paper.” Erick Machuki, Chief Executive Officer, Impax Business Solutions Limited
Beyond individual initiatives, the partnership is expected to create a platform for sustained engagement between academia and industry. This includes opportunities for joint initiatives, professional and student mentorship, knowledge-sharing engagements and the exploration of emerging technologies and digital transformation solutions.
The collaboration also reinforces the role of university-industry partnerships in building Kenya’s innovation capacity by bringing together complementary strengths: academic research and experimentation on one side, and industry experience and implementation on the other.
Both organizations will work together to identify areas where technology and innovation can deliver measurable value and develop initiatives that support digital transformation, skills development and technological advancement in Kenya and the wider East African region.
About @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University
@iLabAfrica is a Centre of Excellence in ICT Innovation and Development at Strathmore University. The Centre advances research, innovation and capacity building in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Digital Health, Internet of Things and Digital Learning through strategic partnerships with academia, government, industry and development partners. By fostering interdisciplinary research and nurturing Africa’s next generation of innovators, @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University is helping shape a digitally resilient, knowledge-driven and innovation-led future for the continent.