Africa and Kenya in particular, has become a center for innovation and entrepreneurship. Kenya is a world leader in mobile-money, driven in part by the market leader, M-PESA. Second generation mobile money driven innovations in Kenya such as the mobile microfinance service M-SHWARI and “pay-as-you-go” home solar systems from M-KOPA show the potential of mobile money to break down barriers to development.

 

Kenya is on the frontlines of innovation more broadly, with creative entrepreneurship incubation spaces such as “iHub,” and companies like Google, IBM, and Intel strengthening operations in Nairobi.  In July 2015, the Kenyan and United States governments co-sponsored the sixth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi. The 2015 summit focused on generating new investments in entrepreneurs, particularly women and young entrepreneurs.

 

Despite the Kenyan people’s talent, drive, and willingness to quickly adopt new innovations, significant difficulties remain for entrepreneurs. The Government of Kenya has recently taken steps to remove obstacles by using technology to streamline and simplify bureaucratic procedures, and reducing or eliminating minimum-capital requirements. USAID partners with the Government of Kenya and numerous private-sector partners to provide support, technical assistance, incubation capacity for new ideas and enterprises, and advocacy for changes in policy.