Fahari Innovation Hub Launched by Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways PLC unveiled the Fahari Innovation Hub on Thursday, a center for innovation that serves as a springboard for new ideas and data-driven innovations in order to speed impact-driven solutions to societal and corporate challenges.

The Fahari Innovation Hub is part of KQ’s goal to support Africa’s long-term development by empowering, working with, and co-creating new ideas and strategies with local start-ups and the SMEs ecosystem.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Joseph Mucheru who apple during the launch stated that new approaches must be invented for the future, particularly for the youth, in order for them to be able to respond as flexibly as possible to changing times and different opportunities.

“We commend Kenya Airways for partnering with National Youth Council and GE and leveraging and harnessing Youth potential to design the Fahari Innovation Hub in fast-tracking the country’s mission to use new, digital and environmental friendly business models beyond flying to shape our tomorrow.” Joe Mucheru. 

Joe Mucheru added that they aim to see upskilling, employment possibilities, community growth, and assistance for local universities, firms, and SMEs through the hub as they contribute to Africa’s sustainable development. 

“At the pace at which change accelerates, especially now in the middle of a global pandemic, we have become increasingly aware of the need to be innovative as we position the business as a resilient, forward-looking and sustainable company with a deliberate inclusive agenda of empowering, partnering and co-creating with the society around us.” Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways CEO. 

The CEO added that bringing together various think-tanks, industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to create an environment that will accelerate innovative ideas, knowledge exchange, and impact business operations exemplifies our spirit to charge forward as we seek innovative solutions to some of our business problems and pain points.

For over a year, the Fahari Innovation Hub has been virtual.

The hub will serve as a center for strategic innovation management, enabling chances for co-creation, collaboration, networking, research, and learning with the establishment of a physical workspace.

The event educated start-ups and small businesses about the market potential accessible across the whole aviation value chain.

Boeing Horizon X, IATA, Kenya Tourism Board, Nas Airport Services, General Electric, Hivos East Africa, and Funkidz Limited are among the companies involved, which include airports, the food sector, tourism, and digitization.