Celebrating Digital Transformation and Personal Journeys in Kenya’s Agricultural Sector
“Today is my happiest moment.” These heartfelt words from Yaseen Hassan Sheriff, a dedicated digital access trainer and agri-preneur from Uasin Gishu County, captured the essence of achievement that filled the air at JHUB Africa on July 4th, 2025. The occasion marked the graduation ceremony of the first JHUB_gDIH Agro-Entrepreneur cohort, a milestone event themed “Code. Create. Connect: MSMEs in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
The ceremony celebrated not just the completion of a training program, but the beginning of a digital revolution in Kenya’s agricultural sector—a revolution being led by small and medium enterprises armed with new technological skills and a vision for transformation.
Personal Transformation: Yaseen’s Journey from Virtual to Physical Learning
For Yaseen Hassan Sheriff, the program represented a profound personal and professional transformation. “It helped me a lot… Today, I can interact physically with my trainers and fellow learners. It’s a reality now,” he shared during the gathering, highlighting the powerful transition from virtual learning to real-world community.
His experience underscores a crucial aspect of effective digital training: while online learning provides accessibility, the human connections formed through in-person interaction create lasting networks that sustain innovation beyond the classroom.
As a digital access trainer himself, Yaseen’s newfound knowledge has a multiplier effect. “Let’s embrace these programs. They save us time and resources, and offer real opportunities—especially for youth,” he advocated, embodying the program’s mission to create not just learners but ambassadors for digital transformation.
Equipping Entrepreneurs with Future-Ready Skills
The celebration began with an immersive Prompt Engineering workshop led by Dr. Lawrence Nderu, Founder of JHUB Africa and certified NVIDIA Instructor. Participants gained hands-on experience with practical AI applications specifically designed for agricultural businesses, demonstrating how even small-scale enterprises can leverage cutting-edge technology to solve real-world challenges.
“AI is not reserved for tech giants or multinational corporations,” Dr. Nderu emphasized during the workshop. “It’s a powerful tool that, when properly understood, can transform small agribusinesses and create opportunities at the grassroots level.”
This practical approach to technology education has been a cornerstone of the program, ensuring that participants don’t just understand concepts theoretically but can apply them immediately in their businesses—exactly what Yaseen and his fellow graduates have begun to do.
Partners in Progress: Collaborative Vision for Digital Transformation
The ceremony highlighted the power of strategic partnerships in driving inclusive innovation. Dr. Caroline Mbaya, Project Manager at gDIH Kenya, spoke passionately about the role of collaborative efforts in creating sustainable digital ecosystems.
“True transformation happens when we build bridges between technology, education, and entrepreneurship,” Dr. Mbaya noted. “This cohort exemplifies what’s possible when we invest in people and provide them with both the tools and the knowledge to succeed in a digital economy.”
Prof. George Thiong’o, Principal of COPAS, reflected on JKUAT‘s legacy of innovation and its vision for the future. “JKUAT has always championed innovation. AI is not just the future, it is now. And we are building that future, one innovator at a time,” he stated, underscoring the university’s commitment to practical, impact-driven education.
From Consumers to Creators: Redefining Kenya’s Place in the AI Value Chain
The event’s Guest of Honor, Teresios Bundi, Gig & Data Economy Advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, delivered a powerful call to action that resonated throughout the hall.
“We shouldn’t be locked at the bottom of the AI value chain,” Bundi challenged. “We must become builders, not just consumers—shifting from analogue to digital, from local to global.”
This sentiment captured the essence of the program’s mission: to position Kenya’s entrepreneurs not merely as technology users but as innovators and creators who can compete on the global stage—a vision that participants like Yaseen are now actively realizing in their communities.
Real Impact: Transforming Businesses Through Digital Skills
The most compelling testament to the program’s success came from the graduates themselves. Tracy Odero, one of the participating agro-entrepreneurs, shared her transformative journey with the audience.
“I used to run everything manually. Now, I get online orders, and my customer base has tripled,” she revealed. “This certificate isn’t just paper, it’s progress.”
Tracy’s experience was echoed by many other graduates, including Yaseen, who have successfully implemented digital marketing strategies, data analytics, and AI tools to streamline operations, reach new markets, and increase profitability.
The comprehensive curriculum—covering Digital Marketing, AI for Business, Data Literacy, and Web Tools—provided participants with a holistic skill set that addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by agricultural businesses in today’s digital landscape.
A Launchpad for Community-Driven Innovation
The impact of the program extends beyond individual businesses to entire communities. As digital access trainers like Yaseen share their knowledge with others in Uasin Gishu County, they create ripple effects of digital adoption and innovation throughout Kenya’s agricultural regions.
This multiplier effect transforms the program from a simple training initiative into a catalyst for regional digital transformation, with each participant becoming an ambassador for technology-enabled agricultural practices.
Building Kenya’s Digital Future, One Entrepreneur at a Time
Yaseen Hassan Sheriff’s experience reflects the core mission of JHUB Africa: to empower individuals with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to drive innovation from the ground up. His journey from online learner to confident digital practitioner demonstrates what’s possible when educational institutions, international partners, and ambitious entrepreneurs collaborate toward a shared vision of inclusive digital growth.
As Dr. Lawrence Nderu has consistently emphasized, “Digital transformation isn’t about importing solutions—it’s about empowering local innovators to create contextually relevant technologies that address our unique challenges.”
A New Chapter in Kenya’s Green, Digital Future
This graduation ceremony represents not an endpoint but a beginning—the first page of a new chapter in Kenya’s journey toward a sustainable, technology-enabled agricultural sector. By equipping agro-entrepreneurs with digital skills, JHUB Africa and its partners are laying the groundwork for a more resilient, innovative, and competitive economy.
The impact extends beyond individual businesses to entire communities, as these newly empowered entrepreneurs become catalysts for wider digital adoption and economic growth.
Join the Next Cohort of Digital Changemakers
The success stories of participants like Yaseen Hassan Sheriff and Tracy Odero serve as powerful inspiration for other aspiring digital innovators across Kenya. JHUB Africa and gDIH Kenya are now calling on MSMEs, innovators, and young changemakers to join the next cohort of the Agro-Entrepreneur Digital Training Program.
This is more than an educational opportunity—it’s a chance to be part of Kenya’s digital transformation story, to learn practical skills in AI application, digital marketing, data literacy, and web development, and to connect with a growing community of like-minded innovators.
Your Digital Journey Begins Here
Are you ready to transform your agricultural business through digital innovation? Do you want to join a community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are reshaping Kenya’s digital landscape? The JHUB_gDIH Agro-Entrepreneur Digital Training Program offers a structured pathway to digital literacy and business transformation, with expert guidance from industry leaders and academic innovators.
Whether you’re looking to implement AI solutions, develop a stronger online presence, or simply understand how digital tools can enhance your agricultural operations, this program provides the knowledge, skills, and connections you need to succeed in today’s digital economy.
Contact us at info.jhub@jkuat.ac.ke to learn more about application requirements and program details, or visit www.jhubafrica.com to explore our other initiatives in digital innovation and entrepreneurship development.
Join us in building a greener, more digital, and more inclusive future for Kenya’s agricultural sector—one entrepreneur at a time.