Kenya is set to upgrade up to 70 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions with modern facilities and equipment, thanks to a new partnership with Italy aimed at strengthening education, research, and innovation.
The initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, February 9, 2026, between Kenya’s Ministry of Education and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research.
The agreement focuses on equipping young Kenyans with technical skills and Artificial Intelligence (AI) expertise, preparing them for emerging job markets.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, President William Ruto emphasized that the program is a cornerstone of Kenya’s strategy to position TVETs as a driver of industrial transformation and technology-led growth.
“Kenya will not be left behind in AI,” Ruto said.
“We aim to be co-creators in the development, governance, and application of artificial intelligence for the benefit of our people.”
He added that the collaboration would help close the talent gap in STEM fields, ensuring graduates are ready for opportunities in sectors like robotics, renewable energy, and digital manufacturing.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba explained that the new MoU replaces an older agreement that no longer reflected the demands of the 21st century.
“This updated agreement reflects the shift towards technology, digital learning, and collaborative research that meets today’s educational realities,” Ogamba said.
Italy’s Minister for University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, noted that the partnership extends beyond supplying equipment, encompassing faculty exchanges, joint academic programs, and student mobility.
“We will implement mobility programs for students, researchers, technologists, and professors,” Bernini said.
She added that while infrastructure development is important, the ultimate priority is human capital, which both countries aim to cultivate together.
The agreement will also foster shared use of research facilities and collaboration in areas such as renewable energy, climate science, and applied AI.
President Ruto highlighted that his administration has established the State Department for Science, Technology, and Innovation to ensure knowledge and research remain central to Kenya’s growth strategy.
Both governments expressed optimism that the partnership would nurture a new generation of innovators and researchers, capable of driving sustainable development across Africa and Europe.
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