Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern African Development

Bio-Innovate Program progress and achievements

Allan Liavoga

Regional Experts Workshop on Development, Regulation and Use of Bio-pesticides in East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, 22–23 May 2014

What is the True Size of Africa?

Africa’s Paradox!

Africa is the richest continent in bio-resources BUT per capita income is the lowest!

Africa has the largest arable land BUT has the lowest productivity of all the regions!• Import food $20 bn annually

Africa is majorly Primary economy BUT no economy has developed purely on Primary production!

Africa is aiming to industrialize BUT how to deal with environmental degradation ?

Substantial research investment BUT not translating to impactful technological solutions!

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What Needs to Happen

Harness and integrate bio-resources into socio-economic development

Adopt modern bioscience innovations as a tool for development

Partner with private sector to deliver innovations to the market place

Establish enabling policy environment for innovation

Establish enabling policy environment for innovation

What Needs to Happen

üHarness and integrate bio-resources into socio-economic development

üAdopt modern bioscience innovations as a tool for development

üPartner with private sector to deliver innovations to the market place

üEstablish enabling policy environment for innovation

üEstablish enabling policy environment for innovation

Bio-Innovate Program

• Established to support biosciences research and product oriented innovation activities in the eastern Africa, 2010 – 2014

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• Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda

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• Currently funding 9 innovation and policy consortia projects

• Program is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

• Complimentary funds from private sector

Purpose of Program

The program is asking the question how to move bioscience innovations into the marketplace for

sustainable utilization and integration of the region’s bio-resources for economic growth and sustainable

development?

Program Guiding Principles

• Science – Generate new knowledge

• Innovation – Emphasis on product development & pathway to commercialization

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• Regional Impact – sustainable and scalable social and economic benefits

Research Research

Innovation Innovation

ScalableScalable

Effective Partnerships to link Research to Innovations to End Users

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• Innovation systems approach

•• Effective

partnerships innovators and delivery agents

• Translating innovations into forms easily adopted by end users

•• Favorable policy

environment for innovation

Collaborators and Partners

International organizations

4

International organizations

4

University11

University11National

Research Institutes

10

National Research Institutes

10

Regional initiatives

3

Regional initiatives

3

Private sector

21

Private sector

21

Smallholder farmers and

Agro-industries

Creating effective partnerships along innovation value chain

National Governments

6

Development Partners

1

Project 3 . Bean technolo giesProject 3 . Bean technolo gies

Project 2. Cassava, Potato and Sweet PotatoProject 2. Cassava, Potato and Sweet Potato

Project 1. Sorghum and MilletProject 1. Sorghum and Millet

Project 4. Bio-energy and mushroom production from agro-industrial wastes

Project 4. Bio-energy and mushroom production from agro-industrial wastes

Project 5. Waste treatment and production of biogas and bio-fertilizers

Project 5. Waste treatment and production of biogas and bio-fertilizers

Project 6. Sorghum and Millet value additionProject 6. Sorghum and Millet value addition

Project 7. Bio-enhanced seedsProject 7. Bio-enhanced seedsProject 8. Industrial enzymes applicationProject 8. Industrial enzymes application

Project 9. Bio-sciences innovation policyProject 9. Bio-sciences innovation policy

1. Crop Productivity and Resilience to Climate

Change

2. Agro-industrial Waste Treatment and Value Addition

3. Incubation and Promotion of Targeted value chains

4. Bio-resources Innovation Policy and Sustainability Analysis

Thematic Focus

Bio-Innovate Phase II (2015 – 2019)Strengthen link along innovation chain

Stage-wise funding of bio-innovations

Academia

Priva

te

Sect

or

Up-scalingCommercialization

Out-scaling

InnovationPilot testingResearch

Proof of Concept

Integrated Waste Treatment and Value Addition – Banana Wine Factory

Thank You!

www.bioinnovate-africa.org