- There is a huge need for business owners, policymakers, and African leaders, in general, to capitalise on the investment in more research, higher education and science
- Academic institutions need to build skills and knowledge of young professionals in areas of research, innovation, science and technology in order to benefit from the natural resources and improve the livelihoods of East Africans
- Africa has the strongest growing scientific production currently at 38.6 per cent since the start of 2012 with the number of authors subsequently growing at a slightly higher rate of 43 per cent over the same period
The Academic Public-Private Partnership Forum (APPPF) has called for more funding to be availed to Africa’s researchers and innovators. This will largely drive up the continent’s sustainable economic development.
According to data by statista.com, despite Africa comprising 12.5 per cent of the global population, the continent still only accounts for less than 1 per cent of global research output.
Additionally, compared to other regions, Africa has the strongest growing scientific production currently at 38.6 per cent since the start of 2012 with the number of authors subsequently growing at a slightly higher rate of 43 per cent over the same period. This is according to data by the African Development Bank.
This further highlights the need for business owners, policymakers, and African leaders, in general, to capitalise on the investment in more research, higher education and science.
This is aimed at helping the continent build a knowledge economy while maximising Africa’s advancement in the new industrial revolution.
The forum highlighted the fact that in order to engage more academic innovators to research and develop interactive ideas and concepts for invention, captains of industry have the important duty of widely sharing the problems they encounter, especially in their day-to-day work life.
The NM-AIST Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Luoga said that APPPF is very important in advocating Innovation and Research for Industrial development.
“NM-AIST encourages Public-Private Partnership, as stressed in our new cooperative strategic plan, which aims to strengthen Academic Public-Private Partnership and outreach programmes to increase awareness of inventions and innovations,” he said.
The Secretary-General of the East African Community represented by EAC Director of Customs Flavia Busingye said the Democratic Republic of Congo joined the East African Community expanding the vast endowment of natural resources in the EAC.
She called upon academic institutions to build skills and knowledge of young professionals in areas of research, innovation, science and technology in order to benefit from the natural resources and improve the livelihoods of East Africans.
Speaking at the forum, Hon. John Mongella noted that proper education, innovation and partnership with the private sector are central to attaining a developed economy across the continent.
“The APPPF is set to enable Tanzania and East Africa to respond better to emerging challenges such as climate change and drive sustainable economic growth,” he stated.
The Academic Public-Private Partnership Forum (APPPF) & Exhibition showcased over 20 innovations ready for commercialization.
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The innovations included biogas stove products, Smart Masai Animal Grazing System, Fish Feed, Leather Turning, Digital Application System, Botanical Biopesticides, Water Filter, Waste Management system, Smart card for water sale, Automated surgical gown, Nano filter, Home-based smart ugali cooker and a navigation system for blind people.
Others were automatic fare metering system for bajaj and bodabodas, Smart Industrial electrical energy analytics & forecasting system, Dry system Machine, Instant Flower, Nutrano, Oysters’ products, African nightshades – Cushnite butter, Bibo juice, Ibo Crips.
The exhibition also showcased the electric vehicle by E-Motion Africa Ltd.
“The innovations can be scaled beyond Africa and shape East Africa’s future,” EABC CEO John Kalisa stated. He further urged students to offer wise solutions and innovations that respond to the community and industry needs.
The forum brought together over 120 business leaders from East Africa and innovators from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST).
The forum further resolved to hold frequent match-making sessions between the innovators, investors and financial institutions.
It was organized by the East African Business Council and Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) with support from the African Development Bank, WISE- Futures, Centre for Research, Agricultural Advancement, KCB Bank Tanzania, Hanspaul Industries Limited, E-Motion Africa Ltd and A To Z Textiles Mills.
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