A training programme aimed at strengthening the innovation capabilities in public sector organisations in East Africa concluded recently at Strathmore University, marking a significant step toward building sustainable innovation ecosystems across East Africa. The eight-month Stakeholder Training Programme on Building Innovation Capabilities(BIC) in the East Africa Public Sector brought together civil servants in leadership roles from Kenya and Tanzania to rethink the role of innovation in governance and public service delivery.

Led by academic experts from Strathmore University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), and the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the programme equipped participants with the skills, tools, and mindset needed to lead innovation efforts within their organisations and beyond. The training programme was funded by the Swedish Institute. The Project Team included: Prof. Bernard Shibwabo, Bruce Totona, & Noela Shisiali (from Strathmore University), Dr. Susanne Nilsson, Prof. Lena Gumaelius, Erika Charpentier, & Prof. Anders Rosén (from KTH), Dr. Moses Ismail & Dr. Eva Shayo (from UDSM).

Structured around four progressive modules, through tailored workshops, training sessions, and collaborative projects, the program equipped public servants with the skills to drive and create conditions for innovation and to utilise Challenge Driven Education (CDE), a new form of pedagogy to foster shared learning and problem-solving. Participants engaged in hands-on activities that emphasised the application of innovative thinking to real-world societal challenges. The programme curriculum included elements of innovation management in resource-constrained settings, design thinking, and leading cross-sectoral collaboration processes.

The modules included:

•  Module I (Oct 2024, held in Dar es Salaam): Understanding innovation capabilities and the foundations of public sector innovation.

• Module II (Nov 2024, held Online): Applying co-creation methods to address pressing societal needs.
  
• Module III (Feb 2025, held in Nairobi & Dar es Salaam): Exploring the role of public institutions in fostering innovation through partnerships with academia in CDE.

• Module IV (May 2025, held in Nairobi): Creating an innovation Building Innovation Ecosystems Creating Societal Impact

The programme culminated in final presentations, where participants showcased the societal challenges they aim to address through CDE and unveiled their strategic action plans to continue fostering innovation within their institutions.

Beyond skill-building, the training successfully established a dynamic network of public sector professionals and academic institutions. This East African collaboration lays the groundwork for ongoing knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and joint innovation initiatives.

As one participant, Benedict, reflected, “As a planner and researcher, I find this programme incredibly valuable. It pushes me to be innovative and explore fresh ideas. Innovation has two key elements, coming up with ideas and putting them into action, and this programme emphasises both, which I really enjoy.”

He went on to highlight the importance of collaboration. “The most important insight for me has been realising that you cannot thrive in isolation. You need to work with others. What makes this programme especially dynamic is that it brings together three universities from three different countries. That diversity brings a richness to the team and enhances the learning experience.”

At its core, this programme was about catalysing long-term social and economic change. By enhancing public sector capabilities and strengthening the bridge between academia and government, the programme contributes meaningfully to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

With participants now returning to their roles equipped with new skills and actionable plans, the real work begins by driving transformation from within. Supported by their institutions and empowered by new regional alliances, these change agents are set to transform public service across Kenya and Tanzania.

This training programme stands as a testament to what is possible when knowledge, collaboration, and vision converge. From the training, the outlook of the innovation ecosystem in East Africa has become more promising.