The seventh edition of Pwani Innovation Week 2026 concluded with a spectacular concert, Pwani Got Talent, at the Coast Gymkhana grounds. The event brought together hundreds of enthusiastic young people for an evening of music, dance, comedy, and cultural performances. Celebrated musicians Iyanii and J Melody were among the headline acts, entertaining the crowd with captivating live performances.
The concert was organised by the Swahili Pot Hub Foundation as part of the Pwani Innovation Week, themed “A Decade and Beyond: Youth, Innovation and Coastal Future.” The event provided a celebratory atmosphere after a week of intensive activities involving volunteers, innovators, and partners. Swahili Pot Hub Foundation Founder Mahmoud Noor stated that the concert aimed to showcase innovations and celebrate the creatives of the Coast.
Noor highlighted that the concert also provided a platform for recognising, rewarding, promoting, and nurturing emerging artists. One spoken-word artist secured a one-year deal with a corporate partner during the event. The concert generated revenue for small businesses supplying food, drinks, and water, and Noor emphasised that the event was alcohol-free and drug-free.
The youth were encouraged to reject attempts by politicians to recruit them as agents of violence and chaos for personal political gain. Noor urged them to make informed voting decisions and shun handouts offered in exchange for political support. He also encouraged the youth to remain focused, resilient, and committed to pursuing their dreams despite prevailing economic challenges.
Pauline Mwaura, Coca-Cola Coastal Bottlers Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Manager, stated that the company sponsored the event through its Fanta Skizia Utamu campaign. She described Pwani Got Talent as a major celebration of young people expressing themselves through music, talent, content creation, games, and shared experiences.
Influencer Quincey Njeri urged young people not to shy away from showcasing their talents, noting that corporate organisations were increasingly willing to support initiatives that help them realise their dreams. She also cautioned the youth against falling prey to politicians seeking to exploit them for political purposes as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The event concluded with a call to action for more companies to invest in young people through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that nurture their talents, create opportunities, and enable them to earn a living. The Pwani Innovation Week aims to promote youth empowerment, innovation, and coastal development, with the Swahili Pot Hub Foundation working to create a platform for young people to showcase their talents and innovations.
Key points
- The Pwani Innovation Week concluded with a concert that celebrated youth creativity and talent.
- The event aimed to promote youth empowerment and encourage young people to reject violence and substance abuse.
- Corporate organisations are increasingly willing to support initiatives that help young people realise their dreams.
