Kenya Innovation Week 2023: Scaling Innovations through the Public Sector
First Published on Million Lives Collective | 5 December 2023
Kenya Innovation Week (KIW), a premier innovation forum in Kenya bringing together innovation leaders from across the globe, played host to its much-anticipated 2023 Commonwealth edition. This event served as a testament to the vibrant and dynamic spirit of innovation within Kenya, bringing together local and global stakeholders to celebrate groundbreaking achievements and practical skills that have positively impacted society. Notably, the Million Lives Collective (MLC) actively participated in this enriching 5-day forum, contributing to the collective spirit of innovation and collaboration.
The 2023 edition of KIW, themed "Innovating to Unlock Our Common Wealth", stood out as a milestone in the history of innovation forums in the region. With a primary focus on leveraging innovation for wealth creation and societal well-being, the forum aimed to explore the transformative power of disruptive innovations in driving socio-economic progress and reshaping industries.
Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration
Throughout the week-long event, KIW provided a unique platform for participants to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices. Panel discussions, exhibitions, keynote speeches, fireside chats, workshops, and networking events created an immersive environment where innovators learned from one another, fostering connections that would support their ongoing innovation journeys.
As part of the 2023 Kenya Innovation Week, Results for Development (R4D) hosted two exciting events: first, the official ‘Public Sector Innovation’ Summit (co-hosted with Triggerise and Medic) and second, a side event on ‘Practical Approaches to Scaling Innovation through the Public Sector' hosted by the Million Lives Collective.
Public Sector Innovation Summit
The Public Sector Innovation Summit took place on Thursday, 30th November 2023, and focused on the theme "Institutionalizing the Sourcing and Scale-Up of Innovation within the Public Sector".
Objectives and Achievements: The summit set out clear objectives, including providing the audience with insights into the importance of scaling up health innovations within the public sector. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how such initiatives accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the creation of resilient and adaptive health systems.
A panel debate featuring diverse ecosystem actors including: government actors, private sector representatives, development partners and policy makers, allowed for a comprehensive exploration of public sector innovation. The inclusion of case studies showcasing successful scale-ups within the public sector provided tangible examples of effective innovation strategies. Attendees also had the opportunity to delve into the learning, tools, and frameworks emerging from these successes.
Practical Approaches to Scaling Innovation through the Public Sector
The week wrapped up with a side event dedicated to presenting and discussing practical approaches to scaling innovation through the public sector, hosted by the Million Lives Collective in collaboration with the Public Sector Scaling Action Lab (PSS Action Lab).
The event familiarized participants with the “Mountain Model” approach, a six-stage framework supporting public sector scaling. Attendees gained insights into understanding and articulating government’s demand for innovation, sourcing solutions, and scaling them within the public health system. Through the example of Kajiado County, the PSS Action Lab showcased how locally-facilitated support can assist local governments to navigate challenges associated with different stages of the Mountain Model. Moreover, the Mountain Model demonstrated its potential for expansion to other counties and governments, presenting itself as a replicable and scalable model.
Showcasing the Million Lives Collective. A significant aspect of the side event was the spotlight on the Million Lives Collective (MLC), a network of 100+ proven, impactful innovations that address global development challenges. The MLC offers a unique platform for governments and other ecosystem actors to source solutions that match their demand needs. Case studies from MLC members, including their experiences of scaling through the public sector, were presented, offering valuable insights into the benefits of MLC membership. The case studies featured included Bridges to Prosperity, DELFT Imaging and HarvestPlus.
Lessons learned
The key insights and lessons learned from these events can be summarized into 6 main takeaways.
Alignment with public sector initiatives. Innovators were advised to strategically synchronize their solutions with government priorities and agendas. This alignment not only streamlines the scaling process but also enhances the potential impact of innovations. By aligning with governmental goals, innovators can ensure their solutions address pressing issues, fostering a seamless integration into existing public sector frameworks.
Build partnerships and collaboration. A distinctive aspect of the Public Sector Innovation Summit was its emphasis on collaboration. Government actors and partners from other Commonwealth countries shared their experiences, fostering a cross-cultural exchange of ideas and approaches to scaling up innovations within health systems. Collaborative efforts not only leverage collective expertise but also contribute to the sustainability and widespread adoption of innovative solutions.
Demonstrate value to raise funds. A common challenge echoed by innovators is securing funds for the development and scaling of their innovations. The summit highlighted a dual responsibility: governments should allocate funds for infrastructure development and scaling efforts, while funders need to extend flexibility in their funding mechanisms. Innovators, in turn, need to compellingly demonstrate the value of their innovations. This involves articulating how their solutions address specific challenges, especially within public sector needs / government priorities, and contribute meaningfully to societal needs. The ability to showcase tangible value becomes a pivotal factor in attracting funding, ensuring the continued evolution and impact of innovative endeavors.
Utilize Practical Scaling Approaches. Innovators and governments were encouraged to familiarize themselves with practical scaling approaches like the "Mountain Model." Understand the stages involved, from articulating the demand for innovation to sourcing solutions and scaling them within the system.
Advocate for Policy Support. It was emphasized that there is a need for political will to drive innovation and secure funding from donors. In line with this, innovators were encouraged to engage with policymakers and government agencies to contribute to the creation of an environment conducive to innovation, scaling, and societal impact.
Establish a government ‘Sandbox’ for innovations. Acting as an incubator, it was emphasized that a ‘sandbox’ would offer innovators a supportive environment to test and develop their solutions. The potential advantage of this includes increased visibility for innovators and the opportunity to co-create with the government. The Smart Primary Care Network serves as a practical example of a government sandbox, focusing on a community health unit.
Conclusion and the way forward
As we reflect on KIW 2023 and the success of its Commonwealth edition, it is evident that the event served as a catalyst for positive change. The emphasis on innovation within the public sector, particularly in the realm of health, has left a lasting impact on the participants. The connections forged, knowledge shared, and lessons learned during this week-long celebration of innovation will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire future endeavors in Kenya and beyond.
Finally, innovators are encouraged to explore the Million Lives Collective as a platform for showcasing their scale-ready innovations.
