In a significant stride towards bolstering Rwanda’s research and innovation landscape, three technology transfer and commercialisation strategies have been developed for the University of Rwanda (UR), Rwanda Polytechnic (RP), and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). These strategies were crafted under the project “Strengthening Rwanda’s Research and Innovation Ecosystem through Training, Coordination, and Collaboration,” funded by the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) programme, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The initiative aims to enhance research and innovation ecosystems across Africa by building national capacity through Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes. These programmes focus on boosting research, entrepreneurship, and innovation skills, while promoting collaboration between academia and industry to drive market-relevant innovations. The project also seeks to develop a national online centralised repository and database to enhance evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation for research and innovation, promoting product commercialisation.
The validation workshop for these strategies was organised by the University of Rwanda (UR), in collaboration with the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), on October 28. Representatives from UR, NCST, RP, RAB, ILDP, RICA, and other stakeholders attended the event. Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, Ag. Director of ACEIoT and the Principal Investigator of the project, emphasised that the strategies align with the national strategy developed last year with support from the RISA fund. He noted that most research conducted at UR, RP, RAB, and other laboratories remains within institutions and is not taken to market for commercialisation. The project aims to change this by supporting the transfer of research from universities to industry for practical application and societal impact.
Each strategy will have a national office to monitor implementation. At the University of Rwanda, the Centre for Entrepreneurship will be responsible for implementing the strategy. RAB and RP also have similar offices. Funding will come from various sources, including grants and internal funding. The technology transfer process will help researchers register their intellectual property (IP) with RDB for patenting and connect them with industries interested in adopting their innovations. Researchers can also create their own start-ups to commercialise their innovations or sell their intellectual property to another company.
Francoise Tengera Kayitare, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance at UR, highlighted the importance of these strategies in transforming research and innovation into tangible economic and social impact. She noted that UR, RP, and RAB have demonstrated a shared commitment to transforming Rwanda into a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Esperance Munganyinka, Head of the Department of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) at NCST, emphasised the critical need to strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem to sustain Rwanda’s social and economic growth agenda and achieve the Vision 2050 targets.
So far, 60 researchers and innovators have been trained as trainers in technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and research commercialisation. A national research and innovation repository has also been developed. Daniel Niyibizi, Research Fellow at RAB, explained that RAB’s technology transfer and commercialisation strategy seeks to turn research into real impact by connecting innovations from labs to Rwandan farms, boosting innovation adoption, and promoting value addition. Parfait Yongabo, a researcher at RP, outlined RP’s strategy, which includes developing IP policies, establishing technology transfer offices, enhancing business incubation centres, and developing RP’s technology commercialisation business model.
The implications of these strategies are far-reaching. By fostering innovation and technology commercialisation, enhancing entrepreneurial mindsets, skills, and competencies in education, and strengthening collaboration between researchers and the private sector, these strategies are poised to drive Rwanda’s economic and social development. The establishment of adequate infrastructure, technology transfer offices, and funding instruments will further support technology development and commercialisation. The strategies also aim to mobilise funds, venture and reinvestment schemes, and create income-generating and incentive mechanisms, ensuring the sustainability and impact of the initiatives.
In conclusion, the development and validation of these technology transfer and commercialisation strategies represent a significant step towards strengthening Rwanda’s research and innovation ecosystem. By promoting collaboration, building institutional capacities, and mobilising resources, these strategies will drive market-relevant innovations, enhance entrepreneurial skills, and contribute to Rwanda’s Vision 2050 targets. The success of these initiatives will depend on the continued commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders involved.