This project examines the challenges and opportunities in technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and research commercialization across Africa, with a focus on strengthening public-private partnerships, enhancing innovation ecosystems, and improving local pharmaceutical manufacturing. […]
This project examines the challenges and opportunities in technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and research commercialization across Africa, with a focus on strengthening public-private partnerships, enhancing innovation ecosystems, and improving local pharmaceutical manufacturing. […]
Intellectual Property (IP) Project focuses on managing and protecting intangible assets like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. […]
This project aimed to develop a regional bioeconomy strategy for Eastern Africa by fostering coordinated policies, innovation systems, and strategic interventions across key sectors to drive sustainable economic growth and transition countries into middle-income economies. […]
Read More… from Developing an Innovation-led Bioeconomy Strategy for Eastern Africa
This project examined the tensions between open science policies and research commercialization. […]
This project examines the challenges and opportunities in technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and research commercialization across Africa, with a focus on strengthening public-private partnerships, enhancing innovation ecosystems, and improving local pharmaceutical manufacturing. […]
Read More… from Developing a Framework for Industry- Academia Collaboration
This project explores the challenges and opportunities in strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing the need for government support, strategic partnerships, regulatory reforms, and technology transfer. […]
Have you ever wondered how Africa’s big thinkers are solving real problems? For over 10 years, the Scinnovent Centre, based in Kenya, has been helping drive smart ideas and solutions across the continent. And now, with our newly redesigned website, you can explore our work like never before! At Scinnovent.org, you’ll find stories and resources […]
Read More… from The Scinnovent Centre launches a new website
The project aims to improve milk production and quality by providing steady energy and water access. It will also assess the suitability of these technologies for smallholder systems, evaluate their socio economic and gender impacts, and promote their adoption. […]
Read More… from Solar Powered Technologies for Smallholder Dairy Industry in Malawi
The project optimized irrigated rice production by improving governance, rehabilitating the hydraulic system, and enhancing farmers’ technical capacity to ensure food security and sustainable agricultural practices. […]
Read More… from Optimization of rice production in the Nanan perimeter (Yamoussoukro-Côte d’Ivoire)
Many African countries, through their development plans, have prioritized access to affordable Healthcare services. However, the realization of these aspirations has been constrained due to the high costs of imported medicines, which not only increase the health burden but also have negative implications on access and affordability of medicines. Affordability is important since up to 90% of the population purchases medicines through out-of-pocket payments. As a result, many African countries have started initiatives to promote local pharmaceutical manufacturing, to address the issue of high costs of imported medicines and to tap into additional benefits such as, creation of employment opportunities, technology and skills transfer and enhancing intra-Africa trade.
Technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and commercialization are essential for Africa’s development. However, the mechanisms connecting public research organizations to the private sector remain underdeveloped. Science Granting Councils (SGCs) play a key role in bridging this gap but face challenges such as limited funding, inadequate commercialization infrastructure, and a lack of expertise in intellectual property and technology transfer.
The report identifies critical barriers, including the absence of continuous dialogue between research institutions and industry, insufficient research funding, and weak policy frameworks. To address these, it recommends creating platforms for ongoing collaboration, developing innovative funding models, improving commercialization infrastructure, building skills in technology transfer and intellectual property management, fostering regional cooperation, and introducing supportive government policies and incentives.
By implementing these recommendations, Africa can strengthen its research-industry partnerships, enhance technology transfer, and create a more robust innovation ecosystem
Report: Strengthening Research – Industry Collaborations in Africa: Rapid Evidence Assessment
An Intellectual Property (IP) Project focuses on managing and protecting intangible assets like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. It typically involves activities such as creating awareness about IP rights, conducting IP audits, advising on IP registration processes, and enforcing IP protection to safeguard innovations and creative works.
1. IP, Technology Transfer, and Commercialization
The Scinnovent Centre under Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) organized specialized training on “IP, Tech Transfer, and Commercialization” during the Annual Regional Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June 2019. The training aimed to enhance the capacity of Councils to facilitate collaborative partnerships and promote technology transfer between research institutions and the private sector.
The SGCI’s training program sought to address critical gaps in IP awareness and technology transfer infrastructure. By focusing on institutional policies, commercialization pathways, and the role of TTOs/IPMOs, the initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of Science Granting Councils and their partners to foster successful public-private partnerships and enhance the impact of research and innovation.
2. IP Audit ,Technology Transfer, and Commercialization
Mombasa, Kenya – From October 16-20, 2023, the Scinnovent Centre, in collaboration with the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the ATDF Entrepreneurship Hub (AEH), hosted a pivotal three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the intellectual property (IP), technology transfer, and commercialization capabilities of Science Granting Councils (SGCs) across Africa. The training, held in Mombasa, Kenya, brought together 31 participants from 12 African countries, marking a significant step toward strengthening the integration of research and industry on the continent.
Participants included representatives from SGCs in Botswana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. One key take away from the workshop was the need for SGCs to develop competencies in conducting IP audits. These audits are essential for identifying valuable IP within research projects and ensuring that is protected and effectively transferred to industry partners.
3. IP Policy and Strategy
Lilongwe, Malawi – From August 26-30, 2024, a landmark training workshop was held in Lilongwe, Malawi, focused on empowering Science Granting Councils (SGCs) across Africa with the tools necessary for developing robust institutional intellectual property (IP) policies and strategies. Organized by the Scinnovent Centre in collaboration with the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) Malawi, the five-day workshop brought together 33 participants from 12 African nations, including Malawi, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia. These participants, all from leading SGCs, brought a wealth of experience to the table, sharing insights on IP management and discussing challenges and opportunities for fostering private sector engagement in their countries.
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:
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.
Open science is a movement that aims to make scientific research and its dissemination accessible to everyone. It’s based on the idea that scientific knowledge should be transparent, inclusive, and sustainable.
This project investigated the tensions between open science policies and commercialization practices in collaborative research, focusing on how these conflicts influenced researcher behavior and decision-making. Through case studies derived from joint patent applications and research consortia in Kenya and Rwanda, the project examined the challenges researchers faced when balancing open access to knowledge with the need to commercialize research outputs. It explored whether these policy positions could be harmonized and how institutional contexts, governance, and power dynamics impacted research collaborations.
The study addressed key questions about the compatibility of open science and commercialization policies, identifying conditions under which they could work together. It provided insights into the experiences of researchers, their behavioral responses to conflicting policies, and the strategies needed to navigate these tensions. Data collection included document reviews, interviews, focus groups, and workshops, with analysis using qualitative methods and some quantitative data.
The outcomes included policy briefs, academic publications, and workshops that engaged stakeholders in shaping future research policies. In the long term, the project aimed to influence government research policy, guide universities and research institutes on governance frameworks, and promote collaborative research while fostering commercialization. Ultimately, the study sought to clarify intellectual property issues, enhancing private sector involvement in public research partnerships.
Overall, OCSDNet aims to foster open science as a tool for development and research.
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.
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.
Have you ever wondered how Africa’s big thinkers are solving real problems? For over 10 years, the Scinnovent Centre, based in Kenya, has been helping drive smart ideas and solutions across the continent. And now, with our newly redesigned website, you can explore our work like never before!
At Scinnovent.org, you’ll find stories and resources that show how new ideas, smart policies, and hands-on skills are helping Africa grow. From improving farming in Uganda, to clean energy in Malawi, to boosting tourism in Mozambique, we highlight the partnerships and projects making a real difference.
We also dive into important issues like making our own medicines in Africa, and share research studies that are helping shape the continent’s future.
Whether you’re a policy maker, a researcher, or an entrepreneur, Scinnovent.org is made for you. Discover how we support innovation through policy, training, and capacity building. Our training programs teach skills in areas like intellectual property and policy advocacy, while our events bring people together to share ideas and create change.
Our Knowledge Hub is full of useful materials—from reports and policy briefs to videos and guides—perfect for anyone interested in science, innovation, or entrepreneurship in Africa.
So don’t just watch from the sidelines—get involved! Visit our new website at https://scinnovent.org and see how you can be part of building a better, more innovative Africa.
Let’s shape the future—together!
Malawi’s dairy industry, comprising approximately 7,000 smallholder farmers, suffers from low milk production and quality due to a lack of reliable energy and water access. Farmers rely on manual milking methods and face challenges maintaining hygiene due to inadequate water supplies, resulting in financial losses. To address these issues, this project introduces two solar-powered technologies: (i) solar-powered milking machines and (ii) solar-powered water supply systems, both of which are currently unavailable in Malawi’s smallholder dairy sector.
The project aims to improve milk production and quality by providing steady energy and water access. It will also assess the suitability of these technologies for smallholder systems, evaluate their socio economic and gender impacts, and promote their adoption. Piloted in Lilongwe and Dedza districts, the project targets all 7,000 smallholder dairy farmers, as well as solar technology dealers and local milk processors, contributing to increased milk supply nationally.
Implemented jointly by LUANAR and Orifice Irrigation and Water Supply (OIWS) Limited, the initiative leverages Malawi’s abundant solar energy potential to modernize dairy farming. Benefits include improved productivity, enhanced farmer incomes, and sustainable dairy operations, with potential for scaling up the technologies across the country to boost the dairy industry’s overall performance.
Rice plays a crucial role in food security and political stability in Côte d’Ivoire. To achieve self-sufficiency and enhance food security, the government initiated a program to modernize rice production in central and north-central regions, including a 22-hectare irrigated rice perimeter at Nanan in Yamoussoukro. Despite these efforts, yields have been unsatisfactory due to poor governance and an outdated hydraulic system, threatening water resources, rice production, and socio-economic development.
Currently managed by the COPRORIZ cooperative, which oversees input marketing and financing, the deteriorated state of the infrastructure highlights the cooperative’s limited management capacity. This research project, developed as part of a public-private partnership, seeks to optimize irrigated rice production in Nanan by addressing these challenges. The goal is to improve farmers’ technical capacity and production means, ensuring food security and raising producers’ living standards.
Over 18 months, the project will analyze the hydraulic system, identify critical rehabilitation points, and collect soil and water samples for analysis. It aims to develop and test innovative farming techniques, establish an agricultural calendar, and create a decision-support tool. Producer training on irrigation practices and governance will also be prioritized to enhance labor, water, and fertilizer efficiency, promoting sustainable and responsible production.
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