Kenya Launches Research Masterplan

Kenya's Vision for a Sustainable Research and Innovation Ecosystem

Kenya has launched an ambitious masterplan aimed at strengthening and sustainably financing its research, science, technology, and innovation (RSTI) ecosystem. Dubbed the Kenya Research Financing and Capacity Strengthening Masterplan (2026–2036), this document outlines a practical 10-year roadmap to close the research and development (R&D) financing gap, enhance coordination, and accelerate innovation across key sectors.

During the document validation meeting, the Principal Secretary for Science, Research, and Innovation, Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raising Kenya’s investment in R&D to two percent of GDP as required by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act (Cap. 250A). “To raise these resources, we will no longer rely solely on the government. Kenya will diversify R&D funding through public investment, private sector partnerships, diaspora contributions, industry-specific levies, and innovative instruments such as research and innovation bonds,” he said.

Currently, Kenya invests approximately 0.8 percent of GDP in R&D, far below both the African Union benchmark of one percent and the national obligation of two percent. Most of this funding, according to Joyce Ngure from the Directorate of Research, Science & Technology, covers salaries and operational costs for universities and research institutions, leaving little for actual research projects. As a result, researchers often rely on donor funding, limiting Kenya’s ability to develop homegrown solutions.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2025, Kenya performs well in some areas such as knowledge and technology outputs, including innovations like M-PESA. However, gaps remain in human capital, infrastructure, market sophistication, and research-to-industry linkages, with scores often below 50 percent in key metrics.

“The masterplan is designed to address these challenges and is grounded in Kenya’s Constitution, the Science, Technology and Innovation Act, and the Vision 2030 agenda, while aligning with global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she added.

Prof. Shaukat emphasized that without increased funding, Kenya will continue to pay researchers “to sit in offices and do nothing” because there are insufficient resources to conduct actual research. He called for all research institutions to be brought under a single coordinated umbrella to reduce fragmentation, noting that even the reported 0.8 percent of GDP spent on research is questionable due to inadequate tracking and reporting.

Strategic Pillars of the Masterplan

The masterplan is built around five strategic pillars. The first pillar focuses on ensuring continuous and predictable funding for research through a combination of public, private, and county-level contributions. This approach is designed to reduce funding gaps and provide long-term stability for R&D initiatives.

The second pillar emphasizes the establishment of state-of-the-art laboratories, modern equipment, and advanced digital tools to support cutting-edge research and enable scientists to conduct world-class studies within Kenya.

The third pillar targets strengthening skills and succession planning to nurture the next generation of researchers. The fourth and fifth pillars focus on translating research outputs into commercial products and solutions that improve daily life and drive economic growth, while also establishing ethical, legal, and coordinated frameworks to support research, ensure compliance, and maximize impact.

“Increased investment will drive innovation in agriculture, health, climate resilience, industrialization, digital transformation, and job creation, positioning Kenya as a rising global knowledge economy,” said Prof. Shaukat.

According to Ngure, the masterplan signals a major shift from fragmented interventions to strategic coherence, from reliance on external support to self-sustaining research investment, and from policy aspirations to measurable national impact. It aims to build a well-coordinated research ecosystem by improving financing systems, strengthening human capital, expanding research infrastructure, and modernizing policy and regulatory frameworks to support a vibrant and productive scientific community.

“By implementing this masterplan, Kenya hopes to bridge the innovation gap with leading nations, enhance its research ecosystem, and ensure that scientific discoveries reach the nation’s industries and communities,” she said.

Ngure highlighted that many Kenyan research outputs remain confined to libraries instead of being translated into solutions, and the masterplan will help unlock this potential through the creation of modern, multi-use research facilities that can serve researchers across sectors.

“If Kenya wants to move into the future, it must invest in research and development. Investing in research, science, and innovation is not a waste of resources or time,” she added.

The Masterplan was developed through an extensive multi-agency process led by the National Research Fund (NRF), with facilitation from ISAAA AfriCenter and support from the RISA Fund, providing a coherent and transformative 10-year roadmap to strengthen and sustainably finance Kenya’s RSTI ecosystem.