The transition of Eastern African countries into middle-income economies was a key goal that could be achieved through investing in a knowledge-based bioeconomy. A bioeconomy referred to the production, utilization, and conservation of biological resources, including related knowledge, science, technology, and innovation, to provide information, products, processes, and services in all economic sectors aiming toward a sustainable economy (GBS, 2018). A key feature of a bioeconomy was extending biomass production and processing beyond food, feed, and fiber to include a range of value-added products with potential applications in many sectors, such as agriculture, health, and energy.

This project responded to the lack of a common bioeconomy strategy for Eastern Africa, with a view to developing a regional framework that would, in a holistic way, support strategic interventions in health, agriculture, industry, energy, and environment sectors, among others, in the region. It was evident that innovation systems in participating BioInnovate Africa countries were crippled by uncoordinated, incoherent, and conflicting policies that lacked functional mechanisms for a broader integrated policymaking process across sectors to achieve shared goals and targets. Moreover, there was a lack of policies to support linkages among various innovation actors in both the public and private sectors. The development of a vibrant bioeconomy characterized by bioscience innovation, research, and development required that governments in the region develop more effective and coordinated policies, incentives, and guiding frameworks, which could steer and support innovation in key areas.

To this end, the project, in close consultation with Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Councils, Commissions, and relevant ministries in the six BioInnovate countries, developed a regional innovation-driven strategy and a policy agenda to catalyze national bioeconomy strategies, policies, and interventions toward achieving inclusive economic growth in the region.

Project Outcomes

The regional strategy built on the strong foundation laid by the East African Community (EAC) through the East African regional STI policy, which aimed at creating an enabling environment for increased STI investments supporting sustainable regional development and socio-economic transformation.

By the end of the implementation period, the project had achieved:

• Approval of an innovation-driven bioeconomy strategy for Eastern Africa by the EAC governing bodies.
• Increased knowledge and awareness about the state of bioeconomy issues, landscape, and development in Eastern Africa.

Specifically, the project conducted in-depth assessments, empirical studies, and carried out a highly consultative process to solicit input from various stakeholders, including those from other parts of the world, to support the development of the strategy.

Local and Regional Benefits

A well-drafted bioeconomy strategy and policy agenda created an enabling policy, business, and regulatory environment necessary to propel the development of a knowledge-based bioeconomy in the region. As a result, governments in participating Eastern African countries adopted and domesticated the strategy at the national level and benefited from the optimal use of national resources, knowledge generation, and innovative bio-based goods and services.

Approval of an innovation-driven bioeconomy strategy for Eastern Africa by the EAC governing bodies.