Iran’s Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology hosted a Kenyan tech and commercial delegation on Sunday to discuss collaboration in water and wastewater management technologies.
During the event, officials from the vice presidential office's Water and Wastewater Department and representatives of local knowledge-based companies and tech firms active in the field provided an overview of Iran's most recent technological achievements, Isti.ir reported.
The Kenyan delegation comprised technologists, urban planners and heads of water distribution and wastewater treatment organizations.
According to the officials, the meeting provided an opportunity to establish joint projects in water and wastewater treatment systems, set up joint research teams and startups, and exchange experience and know-how through the two countries' local technology ecosystems and academic centers.
Iranian officials also seized the opportunity to promote Iran's technology exports.
During business-to-business meetings, local tech firms emphasized that water scarcity has triggered new ideas for water issues due to Iran's dry and semi-arid climate. They presented some of their projects and solutions in the field, which dealt with modern water treatment and desalination processes, water distribution optimization, small- and large-scale modern greenhouse development, soil salinity reduction and cutback in farming waste.
The startup companies also introduced nanotech products such as water sanitizers and environmental-friendly fertilizers and disinfectants that are a game-changer in agriculture.
The Kenyan visitors sought smart ideas in water purification, transfer and consumption monitoring, as well as water resource management and irrigation optimization, with the goal of bridging their country's technological gaps.
In addition, Iranian and Kenyan officials signed a collaboration agreement to expand scientific and technology relations. The deal also calls for the display of innovative ideas and products developed by both parties at the iHiT Center, Iran's permanent tech exhibition and hub in Kenya.
iHiT Center in Kenya
In early February 2021, Iran launched a tech hub in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to provide a platform for exchanging tech ideas and facilitate trade.
Called Iran’s House of Innovation and Tech (iHiT for short), the center was inaugurated by Iran’s Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari.
Established in Iran’s former embassy building, iHiT is mandated to extend Iran’s market for tech products to East Africa.
Offering workspace and internet connection to Kenyan and Iranian companies, it also hosts a permanent tech fair for innovative items developed by Iranian knowledge-based companies.
Several Iranian tech professionals offer mentorship and consultation to Kenyan tech enthusiasts, which help establish a technology ecosystem.
Sattari noted that the center can facilitate the exchange of technological and technical know-how, which can help the Kenyan startup ecosystem grow.
Underlining Iran’s outstanding scientific progress, nanotechnology and capability in establishing innovation parks, he said the country is ready to share its experience with Kenya to help promote tech-based industries in both countries.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo then described the iHit Center as good news and said her country is more than ready to develop startups and knowledge-based companies and connect industries with the academia.
Also present at the meeting, Iran’s Ambassador to Kenya Jafar Barmaki proposed that the two sides use a currency other than the US dollar and euro to protect their fiscal relations from the constant exchange rate fluctuations and possible losses.
He said if the two sides can employ this strategy, their trade value can double in a year.
Iran-Kenya ICT Ties
Relations between Iran and Kenya are expanding in other fields, including information and communications technologies.
In late march, Iranian knowledge-based companies held an online meeting with their Kenyan counterparts to help bolster ICT development in the African country.
During the meeting, ICT companies and startups from the two countries shared their experiences and wrapped up the session with questions and answers. The most frequently asked questions were about Iran’s support for international ICT development projects.
Iran’s ambassador to Kenya then outlined measures taken by Iran’s vice presidential office to strengthen tech ties with African countries.
“Iran is to help expand communication infrastructures in Kenya by replicating its local projects. Iranian tech teams are also interested in implementing their innovative ideas and promoting their activities in foreign countries,” he said.
Barmaki stressed that Iran’s ultimate goal is to disseminate its ICT knowledge in North African countries and later to the east and southeast of the continent.
“Iran’s investment in Kenya can also increase the former’s non-oil export and create jobs. With over 80% of Kenyan people having access to mobile network and internet, the country is an untapped market for Iran’s ICT development projects,” he said.
