ASSEK

New Member Alert!

Chezastemed provides hands-on technology and education platform focused on equipping Africans with practical digital skills to improve employability and income. It provides instructor-led training tailored toward real-world projects in AI, digital marketing, data analytics, Python programming, and web development.

Learn more: https://chezastemed.com/

Are you interested in joining the ASSEK community, learn more here: www.https://assek.ke/membership-2/

Happy New Week!

We are glad to welcome a new member to the ASSEK Network!

Pheel Creations Hub is a creative and innovation ecosystem in Nakuru, Kenya, empowering youth and women to transform creativity, digital skills, and ideas into sustainable livelihoods and thriving businesses. More than a training center, the hub provides an end-to-end entrepreneurial journey through certified creative education, incubation, mentorship, creative production, community events, and access to markets, partnerships, and funding opportunities.

By combining creative learning with digital innovation, co-working and studio spaces, branding and content development, and ecosystem programming, Pheel Creations Hub is building a new generation of creators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers driving the growth of Kenya’s creative economy. Designed as a self-sustaining social enterprise, the hub is creating long-term impact through inclusive, community-driven innovation. Learn more about them here: www.Pheelcreationshub.com

is entering a new era of opportunity powered by entrepreneurship, innovation, digital transformation, and regional integration. As East Africa emerges as a global innovation hotspot, stronger collaboration, aligned policies, and connected ecosystems are critical to unlocking inclusive growth, job creation, trade, and sustainability across the region.

​In response, ASSEK will host the official Pre-Launch Event for the 2nd Edition of the Regional Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summit for East Africa (hashtag ) 2026.

This virtual, high-level convening will officially unveil the summit’s vision, theme, objectives, partnership opportunities, and participation pathways.

​Taking place on 19th May 2026, the 1.5-hour online event will gather regional and global ecosystem leaders to build early momentum, foster collaboration, and position East Africa as a borderless, competitive innovation and entrepreneurship region ahead of one of the region’s flagship summits.

Register here: https://luma.com/2a9sqdgx

ASSEK Regional Chapter - Great Riftvalley Edition

Kenya’s Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) ecosystem has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with increasing numbers of incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, and business development service providers. However, this growth has largely been fragmented, resulting in duplication of efforts, limited collaboration, and suboptimal impact for entrepreneurs. While Nairobi has emerged as a central hub, regions such as the Great Rift (with Nakuru as a key node) present immense untapped potential across sectors including agribusiness, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and SMEs. Despite this potential, ecosystem actors in these regions often operate in silos, limiting opportunities for scale, shared learning, and coordinated support. In response, the ASSEK Regional Champions Initiative seeks to establish structured regional chapters that foster collaboration, strengthen ecosystem coordination, and enhance sustainability of ESOs across Kenya. This meetup represents the first convening of ESO leaders and ecosystem stakeholders in the Great Rift region, serving as a foundational step towards building a functional, collaborative regional ecosystem.

Event Details
Date: 9th May
Time: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Venue: Africa Tech Space, Nakuru
Convened by: ASSEK – Regional Champions Initiative
Host (Regional Champion): Africa Tech Space (ATS)
Cost: KES 1,500
Payment details: Mpesa Pay bill: 522522 Account no: 1284184080

Register here: https://bit.ly/GreatRift1

Enquiries reach out to us via [email protected] or James - 0707 828319 or Patrick - 0721 236 204

See you there!

🤝🏿Join Us for an Ecosystem Webinar on Green Jobs: Advancing Youth Employment in East Africa🌱

Youth unemployment in East Africa remains high despite growing investments in entrepreneurship and the green economy. At the same time, the region faces sustainability challenges that require coordinated, systemic solutions.

Green entrepreneurship offers a pathway to tackle both issues, but its success depends on strong collaboration across the wider ecosystem, including government, support organizations, funders, entrepreneurs, and communities.

To deepen understanding of these dynamics, ASSEK will host a virtual dialogue bringing together evidence, ecosystem insights and lived experiences to inform more effective youth-focused and sustainable interventions.

Logistical information:
🗓️Date: Thursday 23rd April, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EAT
🔗RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dAb5JwJJ

Be part of the conversation shaping more effective, youth-centered, and sustainable ecosystem interventions.

Driving Collective Action to Strengthen Kenya’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem🌍

ASSEK in collaboration with the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE) and Stellenbosch University , successfully convened ecosystem leaders and Enterprise Support Organizations in Nairobi for the Kenya Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building Workshop.

The workshop created a platform for stakeholders to identify key ecosystem gaps and explore priority areas including policy, markets, culture, support, finance, human capital, and data, while shaping actionable steps toward stronger collaboration and a more coordinated ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:
✅Stronger Coordination: Ecosystem actors must work more intentionally to reduce fragmentation and align initiatives.
✅Data and Impact Measurement: Reliable ecosystem data is essential for informed decision-making and measuring impact.
✅Collaborative Action: Pillar-based working groups will drive collective solutions across policy, markets, culture, support, finance, human capital, and data.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the leaders and partners who contributed their insights and expertise during the workshop: Phumlani Nkontwana, representative of Stellenbosch University and the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE), Mercy Kimalat CEO of ASSEK, Mike Mutungi, CEO of I Choose Life - Africa and Roselyn Marandu-Kareithi (PhD), Country Director Kenya & Stakeholder Management Lead, Eastern Africa at Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies.

Together, we continue working toward a stronger and more connected entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kenya.

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Happy Monday!😄

Today’s Monday Motivation features a powerful reflection from Salome Ayugi, Associate Director, Sinapis and ASSEK Vice Chairperson of the Board.

She reminds us that;
True leadership is rooted in intentional action, creating strong foundations that empower others to grow, spark innovation, and build thriving ecosystems. It goes beyond titles, focusing instead on cultivating environments where people excel, ideas flourish, and collaboration drives meaningful, lasting impact.

This approach is reflected in the work of Sinapis, a global community equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and capital pathways needed to succeed. Through intensive training, tailored advisory, and a strong alumni network, Sinapis is shaping investor-ready founders who are building businesses with both social and spiritual impact.

This week, let’s move beyond individual wins and focus on collective success. By investing in people, sharing knowledge, and building inclusive systems, we don’t just lead; we unlock potential, accelerate innovation, and build ecosystems that thrive.

🔗Learn more about Sinapis: https://www.sinapis.org/

SPURRING ECOSYSTEM COORDINATION VIA MULTISTAKEHOLDER PLATFORMS IN NAKURU COUNTY

In partnership with SNV_Kenya and ASSEK, under the IYBA SEED Project, we convened a high-impact culminating Multi-stakeholder Platform (MSP) session in Nakuru County on 19th March hosted by Nakuru Box. The forum brought together diverse ecosystem actors with a shared goal: to establish a structured and functional MSP that enhances coordination while strengthening stakeholder capacity for meaningful engagement.

The engagement prioritized building a cohesive platform where government, private sector, grassroots organizations, business support institutions, youth innovators, and development partners can collaborate effectively. The session emphasized practical approaches to improving policy coherence, addressing ecosystem bottlenecks, and co-creating solutions grounded in the realities of Nakuru’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Key focus areas included:
☑️Structuring and clustering ecosystem actors into a coordinated MSP framework
☑️Enhancing stakeholder capacity for effective participation and policy dialogue
☑️Aligning ongoing programs and ecosystem initiatives to reduce duplication
☑️Joint identification of priority gaps affecting enterprise growth
☑️Developing actionable, locally driven solutions for ecosystem strengthening

Discussions underscored the value of coordinated multi-stakeholder action in unlocking inclusive economic opportunities. By advancing a structured MSP and investing in stakeholder capacity, participants committed to strengthening collaboration, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, and expanding opportunities for women and youth across Nakuru County.

Special Acknowledgement to our partners:
GIZ, Enabel, Expertise France, and the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Sincere appreciation to Mercy Kimalt, Nduta Ndirangu, Vincent K. Kimosop and the entire team for their invaluable support and contributions.

Building partnerships | Aligning action | Accelerating inclusive entrepreneurship in Nakuru.

CATALYZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COLLABORATION IN KISUMU COUNTY

In partnership with SNV and ASSEK, under the IYBA-SEED Project, we advanced a dynamic Multistakeholder Platform (MSP) session in Kisumu County on 17th March hosted by WiseHub. The engagement focused on two key priorities:
✅Structuring and grouping existing ecosystem actors into a functional MSP for effective county coordination
✅Capacity building to strengthen stakeholder participation and collaboration.

The session aimed to enhance policy alignment, address ecosystem challenges, and develop practical, realistic solutions that reflect local realities. By fostering structured coordination among stakeholders, the forum provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collective action to strengthen Kisumu’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Key areas of focus included:
✅Mapping and organizing ecosystem actors for coordinated engagement
✅Building stakeholder competencies for meaningful policy contribution
✅Promoting alignment of programs and ecosystem initiatives
✅Facilitating joint identification of priority ecosystem gaps
✅Designing actionable and locally responsive solutions

The discussions reinforced the importance of coordinated multi-stakeholder engagement in driving sustainable ecosystem development. Through the formation of a structured MSP and targeted capacity strengthening, stakeholders are better positioned to promote inclusive entrepreneurship, expand opportunities for women and youth, and support sustainable economic growth at the county level.

Special Acknowledgement to our partners:
GIZ KENYA, Enabel, Expertise France, and the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation

Special gratitude to Mercy Kimalat, Nduta Ndirangu, Vincent K Kimosop and the entire team for their outstanding work.