Kenya’s inABLE Named among World’s Top 100 Accessibility Innovators by Forbes
- Kenya's inABLE has been recognised by Forbes in its inaugural Accessibility 100 list as one of the world’s top innovators in disability inclusion
- Forbes selected inABLE after a nine-month research process involving over 400 expert interviews
- inABLE has pioneered assistive technology labs in Africa’s special needs schools while also advancing inclusive education, tech access, and policy reform for persons with disabilities
Elijah Ntongai, an editor at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
Kenya’s nonprofit tech accessibility pioneer inABLE has earned a coveted spot on the first-ever Forbes Accessibility 100.
Source: Facebook
This is a global list spotlighting pioneering organisations in disability inclusion and digital accessibility.
The Nairobi-based organisation is one of the few African entities recognised in the ranking, joining an elite group of global corporations, startups, and advocacy networks across 15 countries.
The list was curated by Forbes following a rigorous nine-month research process involving over 400 expert interviews.
“We are incredibly proud and humbled to be included in this global recognition. This is a powerful validation of our mission to ensure that persons with disabilities are not just consumers of digital content but creators, leaders, and equal participants in the digital economy,” said Irene Mbari-Kirika, founder and executive director of inABLE.
inABLE as a pioneer in inclusive tech and policy
Founded in 2009, inABLE has been a trailblazer in pushing the boundaries of digital accessibility in Africa.
The organisation established Africa’s first assistive technology labs in special needs schools and has since expanded its work into inclusive education, policy advocacy, and tech access for persons with disabilities.
It also hosts the Inclusive Africa Conference, now a leading continental platform for discussing and designing accessible digital solutions.
inABLE's global partnerships
inABLE’s progress has been backed by a wide array of strategic partners, including global giants like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Uber, Salesforce, and the Mastercard Foundation, among others.
These collaborations have supported its work in education, assistive technologies, and influencing accessibility policies in both the government and corporate sectors.
“This honour belongs to our entire community, partners, advocates, youth innovators, and individuals with lived experience who have shaped our journey,” said Mbari-Kirika in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.
“We are proud to contribute to a global shift that is not only rethinking access but reengineering systems to be inclusive from the start,” she added.
Why accessibility matters
The Forbes Accessibility 100 list comes at a time when digital inclusion is being reframed as a global economic and human rights imperative.
The list celebrates innovations ranging from AI-powered communication tools and sign language avatars to inclusive design practices built from the ground up.
According to Forbes, the honoured organisations “treat accessibility not as a compliance obligation but as a core principle of innovation and equity.”
inABLE’s inclusion marks a growing recognition of African-led solutions to global challenges in accessibility.
Source: Twitter
Nairobi hosts Inclusive Africa Conference
In other news, the sixth edition of the Inclusive Africa Conference took place from June 3 to 5, 2025, at Nairobi’s JW Marriott Hotel.
The conference brought together major global tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, Uber, and Intuit to explore how artificial intelligence and digital innovation can drive disability inclusion across Africa.
The summit organised by inABLE coincided with Kenya's signing of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, which is aligned with international disability rights standards and is set to advance accessibility policy on the continent.
Speakers underscored the need to accelerate the integration of accessibility into Africa's digital and economic growth.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
