Finland-based mobile phone maker Nokia has joined forces with the Kenyan government to help encourage growth in technology start-ups specialising in educational, health and agricultural apps.
Nokia will fund startups and provide technical expertise while the Kenya ICT board will lead activities in the east African country.
According to news provider HumanIPO, Jussi Hinkkanen, Nokia’s corporate relations vice-president for the Middle East and Africa, said: “Our objective is to support local talent in developing their skills, and to open up a channel for their innovations to reach both regional and global markets.”
Kenya’s government – led by President Mwai Kibaki with Prime Minister Raila Odinga – and Nokia hope to connect 100 schools to smart education systems to help teach maths and science while developing SMS-based solutions to encourage agricultural growth and create health information apps, according to Business Daily Africa.