Technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and the commercialization of research are pivotal issues for governments, development partners, and the private sector across Africa. While public research organizations are the primary sources of new knowledge, the mechanisms to connect this knowledge with the private sector have remained underdeveloped. The Science Granting Councils (SGCs) play a central role in brokering, facilitating, and coordinating interactions between research institutions and the private sector. However, they face several challenges, including inadequate funding for research, unequal platforms for knowledge exchange, and limited capacities to manage technology uptake effectively.

Through an extensive situational analysis, involving document reviews, interviews, and case studies, the project highlights the key challenges affecting technology transfer and commercialization in Africa. These challenges include the lack of continuous dialogue platforms between research institutions and industry, insufficient research funding, inadequate commercialization infrastructure, and a significant gap in skills related to intellectual property (IP) management, technology transfer, and commercialization. Additionally, weak communication strategies and ineffective policy frameworks further hinder the potential for successful knowledge exchange.

The project also identifies critical recommendations to address these challenges. First, it calls for the creation of platforms to facilitate continuous, interactive dialogue between research organizations and industry. This is essential for overcoming the cultural and organizational differences that often impede collaboration. Second, the report stresses the need for innovative funding mechanisms to support research and innovation initiatives. Improved infrastructure for innovation and commercialization is also necessary, along with enhanced skills in IP management and technology transfer. Furthermore, the report recommends fostering regional collaboration across African countries to create a more unified approach to technology transfer. It also suggests that governments introduce policies and incentives that support innovation and research commercialization, alongside initiatives to mentor and incubate local innovators.

In conclusion, while there are significant challenges to technology transfer and commercialization in Africa, there are also numerous opportunities for improvement. By implementing these recommendations, Africa can strengthen its research-industry partnerships, improve technology transfer, and build a more robust innovation ecosystem.

Local pharmaceutical manufacturing helps countries reduce their reliance on imported medicines, create jobs, and increase control over the quality of drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports local production and technology transfer to promote innovation and improve access to quality medical products.

The project highlights the challenges and opportunities for local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). While 37 SSA countries are engaged in pharmaceutical production, supplying about 30% of their local markets, issues such as dependence on imported inputs, lack of skilled labor, outdated technologies, poor infrastructure, and weak legal and regulatory systems have made local production less competitive.

Success in the pharmaceutical sector globally is often driven by strong government support, including policies, investment, and regulation. Countries like the USA, Germany, and Bangladesh show how government facilitation, research and development (R&D) investments, and regulatory frameworks can drive industry growth. In SSA, African governments need to adopt similar strategies, supporting local manufacturers through practical and proactive policies rather than relying on external aid.

Key lessons include the importance of government as a facilitator and investor, leveraging national crises (like the Ebola outbreak) to build local capacities, fostering strategic partnerships for research and innovation, consolidating smaller firms into more viable players, and actively utilizing international agreements like TRIPS to enhance access to technology and infrastructure.

Examples from countries like South Africa, Uganda, and Brazil illustrate how technology transfers, strategic partnerships, and international collaborations can boost local pharmaceutical industries, improving access to essential medicines and enhancing regional competitiveness. African nations are encouraged to build stronger regulatory systems, invest in local R&D, and create more robust public-private partnerships to strengthen their pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.