Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja proudly asserts himself as the mastermind behind Nigeria’s Startup Act.
During his tenure as a Senator in Nairobi, he played a pivotal role in crafting this legislation.
A fact he recently alluded to at the launch of the Amazon Web Services Development Center.
Sakaja revealed that, as a Senator, he championed the creation of a legal framework designed to shield Kenyan startups
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Mostly from the myriad challenges within the tech ecosystem.
He passionately recounted his engagement with notable startups like Twiga, Cellulant, and Sendy, all poised for exponential growth.
His mission was clear: to fathom how the government could uniquely support these budding enterprises.
However, an unfortunate twist occurred.
Some members of his team, hailing from Nigeria, absconded with the concept and transplanted it to their homeland.
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Consequently, Nigeria boasts a Startup Act authored by the Governor of Nairobi, while Kenya is bereft of startup legislation.
Nevertheless, Governor Sakaja isn’t ready to concede defeat.
He has resuscitated the effort to push the bill forward and has commenced discussions with Simon Chelugui, the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
With ample room for creativity, Sakaja believes the creation of a virtual special economic zone, promises employment opportunities.
Nigeria implemented Sakaja’s idea
It’s worth noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria inked the Startup Act into law on October 19, 2022.
The landmark legislation aims to harmonize Nigeria’s legal landscape with the demands of the tech ecosystem.
Attracting and safeguarding investments in tech startups.
As Kenya continues to forge its path in the world of startups, Sakaja’s efforts to rekindle the bill reflect his enduring commitment to nurturing the country’s tech scene.
