Researchers push for stronger path from innovation to market ahead of ATLC 2026

Kenya is seeking to strengthen the link between research institutions and industry to ensure more locally developed technologies and innovations make it from laboratories to the market.

Researchers, universities, TVET institutions, government agencies, standards bodies and private sector players say promising projects often stall at critical stages such as validation, certification, financing and market entry.

The stakeholders met in Nairobi on Tuesday during a Research Innovation and Commercialisation Roundtable convened ahead of the Africa Technology Leadership Conference (ATLC) 2026.

Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak said Kenya has the talent and ideas needed to drive innovation, but must improve how research is converted into commercial products and enterprises.

“We are producing knowledge. Do we have the talent and ideas? The answer is yes. The question is whether we can convert more of this knowledge, consistently and sustainably,” said the PS.

“The country must show clearer results from investment in universities and research institutions by converting more research into enterprises, jobs, useful products and measurable public benefit,” he continued.

The PS also called for greater involvement of the private sector in the research process, saying industry should participate from the early stages rather than waiting until a prototype has been developed.

Among the proposals raised at the meeting was the creation of stronger working links between academia, research institutions, TVETs and industry around specific national and commercial challenges.

The stakeholders also proposed a national repository containing information on expertise, research outputs and available facilities, alongside improved access to shared laboratories.

They further called for a financing system that supports innovations at different stages, from ideation and proof of concept to prototyping, validation, commercialisation and eventual scaling.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards emphasised the need to consider standards and certification requirements early in the product development process rather than treating compliance as a final hurdle before entering the market.

Participants also identified intellectual property ownership and benefit-sharing as areas requiring clearer arrangements to give researchers, institutions, students and commercial partners greater certainty when working on joint projects.

TVET institutions were also identified as having a role in the commercialisation process, with stakeholders proposing their integration into the wider research and innovation ecosystem.

Professor Vasey N. Mwaja, Chair of NACOSTI, said the discussions were intended to prepare Kenya for the October technology conference by identifying what the country can take to the regional platform.

“We are here to reflect and prepare ourselves to be part of the upcoming Africa Technology Leadership Conference in October by shaping what we want to find and what we want to give there,” remarked Prof Mwaja.

Ahead of ATLC 2026, participating institutions are expected to identify their leading research areas, researchers, facilities and promising innovations as part of an initial national capability inventory.

Selected innovations will then be screened for possible engagement with investors, corporate partners and technical institutions through proposed deal rooms and one-on-one meetings.

The organisers say the model is intended to connect promising projects with financing, testing facilities, commercial expertise and distribution networks.

The roundtable also called for increased domestic financing for research commercialisation, including public funding, private-sector investment, matching grants, blended finance and long-term capital aligned with the different stages of innovation development.

The Africa Technology Leadership Conference will be held on October 22 and 23 at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, bringing together government, academia, research organisations, industry, investors, innovators and international partners.