Technopolis Authority Opens Logo Competition for Young Kenyan Designers
By Staff Reporter
NAIROBI, Kenya, September 2, 2026 — The Technopolis Development Authority has invited young Kenyan creatives to design its new logo as the agency seeks to establish a distinct national identity following an expanded mandate under the Technopolis Act, 2026.
The nationwide competition, dubbed “Designing the Symbol of Kenya’s Innovation Future,” is open to designers and creatives aged 18 to 35 from all 47 counties.
The Authority, formerly known as the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), was established under the new law as a state agency with a broader mandate to plan, develop, manage and promote technopolises across Kenya.
Previously focused on Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart-city project, the Authority will now oversee the development of technopolis infrastructure and innovation ecosystems across the country.
As a result, the agency says it needs a new identity that reflects its national role while retaining the credibility built through Konza Technopolis over more than a decade.
Rather than hiring a design firm, the Authority has opted for a participatory approach that puts young Kenyan creatives at the centre of the branding process.
The initiative is being implemented through the Jitume Digital Enablement Programme, which equips young people with digital and creative skills and links them to opportunities in the digital economy.
“We are inviting Kenyan youth in the creative community to help shape the identity of the Technopolis Development Authority, an institution that represents where our country is going,” said John Paul Okwiri, Chief Executive Officer of the Technopolis Development Authority.
“This is more than a logo competition; it is an opportunity for young designers to shape a national identity for the environments where innovation, enterprise, research and investment can thrive,” he added.
KSh1 million prize pool
The competition comes with a total prize fund of KSh1 million, with the overall winner set to receive KSh300,000.
Shortlisted participants will also receive cash prizes, with the full prize structure expected to be published on the official competition portal.
Beyond the financial rewards, selected designers will receive mentorship from experienced creative professionals. The sessions will focus on brand identity development, design thinking and creative entrepreneurship.
According to the Authority, the mentorship component is intended to help young creatives turn their skills into sustainable careers in Kenya’s growing creative economy.
Entrants are required to submit a primary logo, a black-and-white version, applications for light and dark backgrounds, a concept explanation of not more than 150 words and three sample applications, such as a letterhead, social media profile and building signage.
A full brand manual will not be required at this stage.
The closing date for submissions will be announced in September through the official competition portal, while the winning logo is expected to be unveiled later this year.
Expanded role in Kenya’s innovation agenda
The Technopolis Act, 2026 gives the Authority a wider role in supporting Kenya’s digital economy and innovation ecosystem.
Among its responsibilities are developing technopolis infrastructure, facilitating investment and providing one-stop-shop services for regulatory and licensing processes. The Authority will also coordinate research and innovation partnerships involving universities and the private sector.
“All existing rights, contracts and obligations of the former Konza Technopolis Development Authority carry over in full,” the Authority said.
Okwiri said the agency’s role extends beyond managing a single smart city.
“Our mandate is not only to manage a city. It is to build and sustain the institutional platform that turns Kenya’s investment in technopolises into measurable, broad-based economic value,” he said.
The new identity, he added, will be expected to represent that mandate both nationally and internationally.
Through the Jitume programme, the Authority says it is also seeking to strengthen young people’s participation in the digital economy. The programme aims to establish 1,450 digital hubs across Kenya, one in every ward, to expand access to digital skills, technology, content creation and online work opportunities.
Young Kenyan designers interested in the competition can access the submission requirements and competition brief through the official Jitume portal.
