Kenya is once again the beneficiary of an electronic company’s innovation. Royal Philips has announced the establishment of it Africa Innovation hub right here in Nairobi.
The Philips Africa Innovation Hub will work both on the creation of new inventions, as well as bringing these inventions to the market.
The Hub will do application-focused scientific and user studies to address key challenges like improving access to lighting and affordable healthcare as well as developing innovations to meet the aspirational needs of the rising middle class in Africa.
The Philips Africa Innovation Hub will be located at the Philips East African Headquarters in Nairobi, and will work in close collaboration with the R&D ecosystem of Kenya and Africa.
While pledging Kenya’s support to the launch of the Hub, Hon. Adan Mohammed, Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization had this to say:
“We welcome the establishment of Philips’ Innovation Hub in Kenya; Philips is a globally recognized innovation powerhouse and their selection of Nairobi as the site to establish their African Innovation hub is a testament to the Kenyan government’s commitment to nurture the drive for research and innovation in the regionâ€
Some innovations that Philips was already working on have now become part of the Innovation Hub, hence. The Philips Africa Innovation Hub will kick-off with ventures that are under development as well as in the pilot phase; these include:
Respiratory rate monitor to support pneumonia diagnosis: a robust and affordable Automated Respiratory Rate Monitor that aims to support the diagnosis of pneumonia among infants and children.
Community care services: The development and testing of a work-flow innovation designed to reduce the number of avoidable maternal and child deaths. Discussions are on with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) to further develop this project and co-create an effective solution tailored to circumstances in rural Africa.
Smokeless cook stove: a stove that uses wood and can reduce smoke and carbon monoxide emissions by more than 90 percent.
Consumer solar solutions: new consumer products using the combination of solar power and energy efficient LED technology to improve lighting in Kenya
The Philips Africa Innovation Hub while headquartered in Kenya, will be responsible for pan-African research and projects and will have operations across Africa, linked to the Philips regional offices across the continent.