Close the Gap led this year’s Belgium Day celebrations in Kenya, bringing together government leaders, diplomats, innovators, entrepreneurs and young people in a celebration of the growing partnership between Kenya and Belgium.
The event also marked the farewell of Belgium’s Ambassador to Kenya, Peter Maddens, whose diplomatic mission comes to an end as he returns to Belgium after years of strengthening relations between the two countries.
Speaking during the celebrations in Mombasa, Ambassador Maddens challenged young Kenyans not to lose hope in their dream of building a better nation, describing them as Kenya’s greatest asset for future growth and development.
“Young people are the driving force behind Kenya’s future. Never give up on your dreams of building a better country,” he said, urging youth to remain resilient, innovative and committed to creating solutions for their communities.
The Belgium Day celebrations also highlighted the importance of investing in youth-led innovation. Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya, Henk Bakker, encouraged young people to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship and self-employment instead of waiting for opportunities to come to them. He challenged youth to create businesses, develop practical skills and become job creators in the changing digital economy.
The event culminated in the launch of a new Digital Innovation Hub by Close the Gap in Mombasa. The facility is expected to train more than 200 young people every day in digital skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and employability, providing access to technology and practical knowledge needed for today’s workforce.
Stakeholders attending the event also called on the Government of Kenya to expand innovation and entrepreneurship hubs across the country, saying such centres are essential in equipping young people with skills that match the rapidly evolving job market while reducing unemployment.
Throughout his diplomatic service, Ambassador Maddens became widely respected for championing innovation, youth empowerment, climate action and stronger economic cooperation between Kenya and Belgium. His support extended beyond diplomacy to startups, social enterprises and youth-led organisations working to transform communities through innovation.
Among the organisations that benefited from his support is Blue Radio Kenya. Ambassador Maddens encouraged the station’s vision of advancing blue economy journalism and played an important role in shaping its international narrative ahead of its participation in Belgium in 2023. His guidance helped position Blue Radio as a growing voice for sustainable ocean reporting and youth innovation.
President William Ruto also paid tribute to Ambassador Maddens during a farewell meeting at State House, thanking him for strengthening bilateral relations between Kenya and Belgium. The President noted that the two countries had deepened cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, climate action and sustainable development during Ambassador Maddens’ tenure.
As Ambassador Peter Maddens concludes his assignment in Kenya, he leaves behind a legacy built on partnership, innovation and youth empowerment. His message to young people was clear: believe in your potential, embrace innovation and continue working towards building a stronger and more prosperous Kenya.
