Nairobi Ranked Most Innovative City in Africa

Nairobi Ranked Most Innovative City in Africa

Nairobi has been ranked as the most innovative city in Africa, according to the Knight Frank Horizons Report 2021/22.

The Kenyan capital beat 500 other cities on the continent including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Cairo, and Lagos to claim the top spot.

Nairobi ranked highly in three components namely; the number of start-ups, level of innovation funding, and innovation infrastructure such as the number of research institutions. 

"The city (Nairobi) offers a good balance between the number of research institutions, available innovation funding and innovation activity (including start-up activity), as well as ease of doing business," the report.

South Africa’s Cape Town was ranked second followed by Kampala (Uganda), Cairo (Egypt), Johannesburg (South Africa), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Lagos (Nigeria), Dakar (Senegal), Accra (Ghana), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).

“Innovation coupled with economic growth will drive the next decade of investment in Africa. Lower risk investors will likely favor cities with above-average innovation scores and a robust economy. These include Cairo, Egypt – the stand-out performer – and Johannesburg, South Africa. These cities have the greatest potential to remain economically resilient in the long-term despite undergoing short-term shocks,” said Tilda Mwai, Knight Frank Researcher for Africa.

Knight Frank expects the demand for data infrastructure to increase as more businesses shift their activities online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Cities that score higher for innovation but have less robust economies will attract those willing to take more risk, such as private equity investors. These cities include Nairobi, Kenya, Cape Town in South Africa, and Kampala, Uganda.” Mwai added.

The study interrogated over 100 data points applied to 29 capital cities from a long list of more than 500 cities in Africa to arrive at a unique innovation score.
 

Comments

Maxiley (not verified)     Wed, 04/07/2021 @ 07:05pm

Well well well,I guess there is still hope.Innovation is the engine that will drive our economy for sure.But we should do more to get ride of Kibera the largest slum in Africa. Electricity,and water should be available freely.Our measure of progress would be more meaningful if the standard of the common mwananchi is relatively comfortable,and that is easy access to affordable housing,and social welfare,including medical,and education.
We are on the right track if only we could slash corruption by 60% things would be much brighter...My two cents.

Maitha (not verified)     Thu, 04/08/2021 @ 09:38am

In reply to by Maxiley (not verified)

And Kenyans should stop bearing (popping) kids like rats which is creating population explosion with incapable youthful parents who can’t even manage to provide food to the new born kids! Every body need to discipline themselves in matters unprotected sex!

Maxiley (not verified)     Thu, 04/08/2021 @ 04:06pm

In reply to by Maitha (not verified)

@ Maitha, you raise a valid point. Can you imagine if the population of Kenya was half what it is now, with the same resources...
It certainly does not make any sense what so ever for a guy without reliable work ,or source of income having seven kids,and 2more with mpango wa kando.Obviously the quality of life for these kids would be compromised.Eventually the burden caused by aguy not zipping up his pants end on society.

Maxiley (not verified)     Thu, 04/08/2021 @ 03:57pm

In reply to by Mūgīkūyū (not verified)

@ Mugikuyu ,this clip shows amuch better Kibra that I used to know, the one with flying toilets.Next time I go to Kenya, I will make apoint of checking it out for myself.
If Kibra is a small slum, I dont want to know the large ones. However, my point is that we do not need these slums.We can do better.

Ogeto (not verified)     Thu, 04/08/2021 @ 09:31am

In reply to by Seneca (not verified)

Useless am@ seneca! What do you know about governing except hanging on Luo strands of laziness and pure nonsense! Uhuru si mama yako! How come you did not mention raila who is backing the borrowing! Shut up
Old bitch!

sokora (not verified)     Thu, 04/08/2021 @ 01:34am

I agree. The innovation is noticeable all around the city. Canaan is here..Don't go looking for it anywhere else.

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