Universities challenged to drive Africa’s industrialisation

Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana and Bidco Africa Chairman Vimal Shah have challenged African universities to turn research into market-ready products and businesses to accelerate industrialisation and create jobs.

Speaking at the opening of the 5th KCA University Innovation Week and Industry Summit in Nairobi on Tuesday, the leaders called for stronger collaboration between universities and industry to commercialise research and develop homegrown solutions.

PS Mukhwana said Africa must move away from exporting raw materials and importing finished products, arguing that the practice denies the continent jobs and economic opportunities.

“When we export raw materials, we import jobs,” he said.

He noted that Africa has a population of 1.4 billion people but accounts for only about 3% of global manufacturing, highlighting the need to strengthen local production and value addition.

Mukhwana challenged universities to produce entrepreneurs capable of building industries rather than graduates who primarily seek employment.

He said research institutions should work closely with manufacturers and investors to ensure innovations translate into commercially viable products.

Shah said Africa had no shortage of ideas but needed to improve its ability to turn them into businesses capable of meeting market demand.

“The ideas are there. What we need is to become better at turning ideas into products, products into enterprises and enterprises into industries,” he said.

He urged innovators to focus on customer needs and establish whether their products offered value that consumers were willing to pay for.

With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, Shah said the continent had a growing market that local businesses should position themselves to serve.

KCA University Vice Chancellor Isaiah Wakindiki said the institution had secured more than Ksh.40 million in research grants, filed over 25 patent applications and supported eight startups in recent years.

He said universities must strengthen the link between research and industry while providing innovators with sustained support to take their ideas to market.

European Union Ambassador to Kenya Andreas Peschke also pledged continued support for entrepreneurship, academic cooperation and skills development.

Innovations showcased at the summit include biodegradable diapers, OmniSense remote equipment monitoring technology, Kessler Aegis space tracking platform and Fortify AI, a business risk assessment tool.

Held under the theme ‘Learn! Lead! Transform!’, the summit brings together students, researchers and industry players to promote innovation and commercialisation of research.