Marsabit County has unveiled a new digital and climate innovation hub designed to position the arid region as a centre for technology skills, green enterprise and climate-smart entrepreneurship. The facility, officially launched this week, aims to equip young people with market-ready digital skills, promote environmentally sustainable businesses and bridge long-standing opportunities gaps faced by communities in northern Kenya. County officials say the hub will prioritise youth empowerment, digital literacy and support for innovators working on solutions to local climate challenges ranging from drought to land degradation.
The initiative comes at a critical time, as climate change continues to disrupt livelihoods in Marsabit, where most residents depend on pastoralism and informal trade. The hub will offer training in areas such as coding, digital marketing, online freelancing, renewable energy technologies and eco-enterprise development. It also plans to provide co-working spaces, mentorship, project incubation and access to development partners willing to invest in green innovation. According to county leaders and technical partners behind the project, the centre is part of a broader strategy to diversify the local economy, reduce reliance on livestock and open up pathways for youth to tap into the global digital workforce.
Community leaders, youth groups and development actors have welcomed the hub as a long-overdue investment that aligns with the county’s push toward climate resilience and technological inclusion. Many young people who attended the launch said they hope the facility will help them access remote digital jobs, build sustainable enterprises and contribute to innovations that address the region’s climate vulnerabilities. Local officials added that the project is expected to attract partnerships from private-sector players and NGOs focused on digital skilling, green innovation and employment creation. If fully implemented, the hub could play a transformative role in Marsabit by nurturing tech talent, promoting green business models and positioning the county as an emerging frontier for climate-tech solutions in northern Kenya.