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At the tranquil Duduville campus of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, innovative ideas filled the air as 20 young scientists drawn from 10 African countries immersed themselves in high-intensity Biobased Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. The countries represented in the bootcamp were Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, and Chad. The Bootcamp was organised by BioInnovate Africa in collaboration with the PASET-Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) – regional initiatives implemented by icipe. The bootcamp closed with a pitching event on Thursday, August 7, that presented innovative solutions designed to tackle pressing societal issues and fostering a sustainable bioeconomy in Africa.

Ms Cynthia Orang’o, Rsif’s Research and Innovation Grants Officer, one of the facilitators, called on the participants to explore the business potential of their ideas. “An idea becomes powerful when it is not just imagined but shaped, refined and packaged so that others can invest in it,” she urged.

On the same note, Ms Shira Mukiibi, Business Development Manager at BioInnovate Africa, and co-lead of the Bootcamp, noted “The innovative ideas and products from each of you are like seeds, which with the right guidance and collaboration, can grow into ventures that attract investment and create impact for Africa’s socio-economic development.

Green technology

Among the participants were five Rsif scholars—emerging innovators who are bridging the gap between laboratory research and market-ready solutions. Through intensive workshops, mentorship sessions, and industry visits, they learned to refine their ideas, pitch effectively, and think beyond technical prototypes to create scalable, sustainable businesses.

For Dr Jonas Bayuo from Ghana, an Rsif alumnus of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Tanzania, one piece of feedback became a turning point.

“One key piece of feedback that stood out during the biobased bootcamp was the emphasis on aligning biobased innovations with circular economy principles, not just green technology. During the bootcamp session, a mentor pointed out that while my activated carbon reactor effectively targets heavy metal removal from wastewater, its sustainability impact could be amplified by ensuring the feedstock for the carbon is truly renewable and locally sourced, such as agricultural or agro-industrial waste.” Dr Bayuo stated.

He added that this insight pushed him to rethink about his sourcing strategy, not just focusing on technical performance, but on traceability and community integration. “For instance, I began exploring how I could partner with local farmers or agro-processors to obtain consistent, affordable biomass waste like maize cobs, stalks, and tassels,” Dr Bayuo stated.

Dr Bayuo’s now plans to co-create small wastewater treatment operators to better understand their constraints, like sludge disposal, flow rates, and maintenance costs. The boot camp helped him shift from a laboratory-centric innovation mindset to a systems-level, user-informed, and impact-driven approach.

Market analysis

For Dr Tsion Fode from Ethiopia, Rsif alumna of Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) who pursued PhD in Minerals Mining and Material Engineering, the most eye-opening insight gained at the bootcamp about transforming research into a viable product was learning how to frame her bio-based innovation in terms of investment potential.

“I realized that successful commercialization requires not only strong scientific foundations but also a clear value proposition, market analysis, and a viable business model. Seeing how other innovators and spin-off companies translated their ideas into tangible products reinforced the importance of aligning research outcomes with real-world needs,” Dr Fode explained.

Rsif provided her with a strong research foundation, mentorship, and exposure to innovation ecosystems. “The programme has encouraged me to think beyond the laboratory by equipping me with entrepreneurial skills and connecting me to networks that can support commercialization. This has enabled me to envision my research not just as an academic output, but as a potential market-ready solution,” Dr Fode said.

She added that NM-AIST equipped her with the practical skills or mindset needed to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship since she benefited from direct exposure to innovation and incubation environments, including visits to spin-off companies and engagement with the university’s Innovation and Incubation Centre. “These experiences helped me understand the practical steps of product development, industry collaboration, and scaling up from prototype to market. They also fostered a mindset of problem-solving, adaptability, and continuous learning—key traits for any entrepreneur.”

New ideas

For Bhaahat Lawlley Zimba, an Rsif Scholar undertaking PhD in Minerals, Mining and Material Engineering at NM-AIST and lecturer at the Malawi University of Science and Technology, the turning point came during an industry visit.

“The Bee Health visit was one of the most impactful components of the bootcamp for me. It provided valuable insight into the processing of honey and beeswax into a range of commercial products. I was particularly inspired by the creams and lotions produced at Bee Health, as they closely align with my vision for packaging the Umoyo Wound Cream, which I am currently developing.”

“This visit also sparked new ideas—specifically, the potential to diversify and introduce a body lotion formulated from collagen extracted from Chambo tilapia fish skin. These insights have enabled me to refine my pitch presentation by placing greater emphasis on the value proposition and market potential of my product,” he stated.

Bhaahat’s innovation tackles a serious health challenge: Burn injuries remain a serious global health concern, with over 180,000 deaths recorded annually. In Malawi, more than 20% of pediatric burn patients succumb to their injuries each year. Those who recover often endure prolonged hospital stays and face complications such as hypertrophic scarring and functional impairment of the affected areas.  That’s why his innovation, Umoyo Wound Cream, aims to significantly reduce hospitalization periods while accelerating the wound healing process and improving clinical outcomes.

He mentioned that Rsif has been instrumental in supporting his  innovation journey and cultivated in him a mindset geared toward developing practical, high-impact solutions for society. Besides, the entrepreneurial training and business modules offered at NM-AIST empowered him to think beyond research—to envision a viable commercial pathway for his product and to confidently pursue opportunities for bringing it to market.

Mindset shift

For Mercy Mmari, an Rsif Scholar from Sokoine University of Agriculture the bootcamp was a catalyst for a deep shift in approach.

“The bootcamp has triggered a significant mindset shift for me, from solution-to-customer thinking to customer-to-solution thinking. It has challenged me to start with the end user when translating science into innovation. I have also learned how to communicate scientific knowledge in a way that resonates with non-scientific audiences, enabling them to understand, value, and buy into the solution. The visits at icipe, EAC and other institutions has broadened my network and triggered the need to participate in enabling environment for other scientists in innovation.”

The sessions and institutional visits also broadened her network and inspired her to contribute to enabling environments for other scientists in innovation. Mercy credits Rsif with equipping scholars not just academically but with the practical tools needed to link science to real-world impact.

“These opportunities create the much-needed ‘why?’ pause during the long PhD journey, ensuring we remain focused on transformation,” she said.

Cross-border collaboration

For Dr Abdel-Razakh Hissein Hassan from Chad and an Rsif alumnus from Sokoine University of Agriculture the most valuable lesson came from the people in the room.

“Being part of a diverse cohort of African scientists has broadened my view on the importance of cross-border collaboration. It showed me how combining perspectives across countries can accelerate innovation tailored to Africa’s needs,” he said adding that he plans to use the entrepreneurial tools gained to turn his research into tangible solutions while mentoring others to adopt innovation-driven approaches.

The bootcamp did more than sharpen technical ideas—it reinforced Rsif’s mission of building Africa’s scientific and entrepreneurial capacity. By connecting scholars with industry mentors, funding opportunities, and real-world business models, it is helping to turn research into products and services that can drive sustainable development.

Turning science into enterprise

Dr Julius Ecuru, Manager for the Regional Innovation Coordination Units at icipe, described the Bootcamp as a platform for turning science into enterprise. He added that the idea of this bootcamp is to bridge research and industry, and create prospects for businesses and jobs.

“These scientists are not just generating knowledge they’re building businesses and creating jobs. This is the transformation Africa needs,” Dr Ecuru underscored.

“Scientists with innovative ideas came together and worked hard to make those ideas investable in this bootcamp,” said Dr Ecuru who is also the manager for Rsif and BioInnovate Africa. “We encourage scientists to look beyond public sector jobs and consider private sector pathways. Our goal is to link science with industry and society, enabling scientists to become job creators and transformative agents in society,” he said.

As the participants parted ways, their prototypes and pitches packed alongside fresh ambitions, one thing was clear: the seeds planted during these 10 days will grow far beyond icipe’s campus—into communities, industries, and policies not only shaping the continent’s future but also igniting the rise of Africa’s next leaders in building a vibrant, homegrown bioeconomy.