ASSEK

is entering a new era of opportunity powered by entrepreneurship, innovation, digital transformation, and regional integration. As East Africa emerges as a global innovation hotspot, stronger collaboration, aligned policies, and connected ecosystems are critical to unlocking inclusive growth, job creation, trade, and sustainability across the region.

​In response, ASSEK will host the official Pre-Launch Event for the 2nd Edition of the Regional Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summit for East Africa (hashtag ) 2026.

This virtual, high-level convening will officially unveil the summit’s vision, theme, objectives, partnership opportunities, and participation pathways.

​Taking place on 19th May 2026, the 1.5-hour online event will gather regional and global ecosystem leaders to build early momentum, foster collaboration, and position East Africa as a borderless, competitive innovation and entrepreneurship region ahead of one of the region’s flagship summits.

Register here: https://luma.com/2a9sqdgx

Driving Collective Action to Strengthen Kenya’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem🌍

ASSEK in collaboration with the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE) and Stellenbosch University , successfully convened ecosystem leaders and Enterprise Support Organizations in Nairobi for the Kenya Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building Workshop.

The workshop created a platform for stakeholders to identify key ecosystem gaps and explore priority areas including policy, markets, culture, support, finance, human capital, and data, while shaping actionable steps toward stronger collaboration and a more coordinated ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:
✅Stronger Coordination: Ecosystem actors must work more intentionally to reduce fragmentation and align initiatives.
✅Data and Impact Measurement: Reliable ecosystem data is essential for informed decision-making and measuring impact.
✅Collaborative Action: Pillar-based working groups will drive collective solutions across policy, markets, culture, support, finance, human capital, and data.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the leaders and partners who contributed their insights and expertise during the workshop: Phumlani Nkontwana, representative of Stellenbosch University and the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE), Mercy Kimalat CEO of ASSEK, Mike Mutungi, CEO of I Choose Life - Africa and Roselyn Marandu-Kareithi (PhD), Country Director Kenya & Stakeholder Management Lead, Eastern Africa at Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies.

Together, we continue working toward a stronger and more connected entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kenya.

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SPURRING ECOSYSTEM COORDINATION VIA MULTISTAKEHOLDER PLATFORMS IN NAKURU COUNTY

In partnership with SNV_Kenya and ASSEK, under the IYBA SEED Project, we convened a high-impact culminating Multi-stakeholder Platform (MSP) session in Nakuru County on 19th March hosted by Nakuru Box. The forum brought together diverse ecosystem actors with a shared goal: to establish a structured and functional MSP that enhances coordination while strengthening stakeholder capacity for meaningful engagement.

The engagement prioritized building a cohesive platform where government, private sector, grassroots organizations, business support institutions, youth innovators, and development partners can collaborate effectively. The session emphasized practical approaches to improving policy coherence, addressing ecosystem bottlenecks, and co-creating solutions grounded in the realities of Nakuru’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Key focus areas included:
☑️Structuring and clustering ecosystem actors into a coordinated MSP framework
☑️Enhancing stakeholder capacity for effective participation and policy dialogue
☑️Aligning ongoing programs and ecosystem initiatives to reduce duplication
☑️Joint identification of priority gaps affecting enterprise growth
☑️Developing actionable, locally driven solutions for ecosystem strengthening

Discussions underscored the value of coordinated multi-stakeholder action in unlocking inclusive economic opportunities. By advancing a structured MSP and investing in stakeholder capacity, participants committed to strengthening collaboration, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, and expanding opportunities for women and youth across Nakuru County.

Special Acknowledgement to our partners:
GIZ, Enabel, Expertise France, and the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Sincere appreciation to Mercy Kimalt, Nduta Ndirangu, Vincent K. Kimosop and the entire team for their invaluable support and contributions.

Building partnerships | Aligning action | Accelerating inclusive entrepreneurship in Nakuru.