Ksh 64 Million Pilot Fund Launched To Boost Digital Innovations For Disability Sector
Matters Disability Updated: 13 March 2026 11:53 EAT
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Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust (AT4D) has unveiled a strategic partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation to launch the Momentous Pilot Fund, Africa’s first early-stage investment initiative dedicated to assistive technology (AT) innovation. The Ksh 64 million (USD 500,000) fund aims to support digital solutions addressing critical gaps for persons with disabilities, focusing on mobility, communication, inclusive education, independent living, and digital accessibility.
The pilot will support up to five early-stage African assistive technology ventures with tailored assistance, including technical support, venture-building, investment guidance, and strategic partnerships. The initiative seeks to accelerate scalable solutions while generating evidence to shape future disability innovation financing across the continent.
Bernard Chiira, Founder and CEO of AT4D, highlighted the barriers faced by innovators in accessing capital. He said the fund will allow testing an investment model that combines lived experience with ecosystem strengthening, ensuring scalable solutions for disability innovation across Africa.
Enos Weswa, Chairman of AT4D’s Board of Trustees, noted that nearly 200 million people in Africa require at least one assistive product, yet access remains critically low. He stressed that the fund addresses a systemic gap that limits inclusion, education, employment, and economic participation.
Harry Ochieng, Investment Manager at AT4D, emphasised the need to reposition disability innovation within the investment landscape. He said the fund challenges perceptions linking disability innovations solely with charity and highlights their potential for investment, impact, and sustainable returns.
The Momentous Fund is designed not only to support individual ventures but also to test a sustainable, Africa-led assistive technology investment model. Insights from the pilot will inform future phases, including Momentous Fund Phase Two, with the goal of scaling disability-focused innovation financing across Africa.
AT4D’s partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation signals a growing commitment to strengthening the assistive technology ecosystem and providing viable pathways for early-stage innovators to access capital and strategic guidance.
For more information, the Momentous Fund can be reached via Email: [email protected] or Phone: +254 114 313095.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD