M-Pesa Foundation has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art innovation hub worth KSh120 million at Maseno University, in a major boost to the institution’s efforts to enhance digital learning and innovation among students.
The facility, expected to benefit over 27,000 students, will be developed under the Foundation’s Citizens of the Future programme, which focuses on empowering learners from basic to tertiary education with 21st-century skills.
The innovation hub will feature 323 computers, three printers, seven projectors, two computer laboratories, startup pods, and a specialized ICT lab. It will also house two business incubation centres, two collaboration and ideation spaces, a growth, research, and e-learning centre, two lecture halls, two seminar rooms, reception areas, and twelve offices.
Speaking during the project announcement, M-Pesa Foundation Trustee John Ohaga said the investment will significantly transform digital learning outcomes at Maseno University while preparing students for the modern job market.
“This investment will go a long way in fostering digital learning outcomes at the institution as we mould our learners to be future-ready for the job and skills market,” said Ohaga. “Safaricom, through its Foundations, is a significant investor in TVET in partnership with institutions. We expect that the groundbreaking here will facilitate learning outcomes for students from here and beyond.”
The innovation hub aligns with Safaricom’s broader commitment to supporting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiatives across the country.
At the University of Embu, M-Pesa Foundation recently launched a scholarship programme targeting 1,300 students from all 47 counties. Additionally, in 2020, the Safaricom Foundation rolled out a TVET programme for 700 students in plumbing, electrical installation, food and beverage, and welding.
Through its Wezesha Vijana project, the Foundation is also supporting more than 300 youth across Nairobi, Isiolo, and Marsabit counties, equipping them with hands-on skills to improve their employability and livelihoods.
The upcoming innovation hub at Maseno University marks another major milestone in M-Pesa Foundation’s mission to drive digital transformation, foster innovation, and empower Kenya’s youth for the future world of work.