How can African universities and research institutions evolve beyond traditional roles of teaching and publishing to become powerhouses of innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal transformation? This is the critical question the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) aims to tackle in its upcoming high-level webinar titled “Innovation Without Walls: Aligning Academia, Industry, Government, and Society for Africa’s Future.”
Scheduled for Wednesday, 9th July 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (EAT), the webinar will be a session featuring leading voices from across Africa’s innovation ecosystem. It will explore how institutions of higher learning can transition into entrepreneurial hubs that foster startups, support scalable technologies, protect intellectual property, and forge strategic partnerships to create real-world impact.
The session will spotlight proven models, structural enablers, and valuable lessons learned from institutions that are successfully integrating innovation into academia.
Keynote Address
The keynote will be delivered by Prof. Bitange Ndemo, Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, a trailblazer in technology policy, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. Prof. Ndemo has played a transformative role in shaping Kenya’s digital economy and continues to champion Africa’s place in the global tech landscape.
Featured Speakers
- Prof. Mary Abukutsa, Professor of Horticulture and Agrobiodiversity at JKUAT, will share her groundbreaking work on indigenous knowledge and its role in transforming nutrition and agriculture across Africa.
- Prof. Tom Ogada, Executive Director of ACTS and Chairman of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KENIA), will delve into the role of government and policy in driving innovation.
- Dr. Aghan Oscar, Founder of COREC, will highlight how industry can bridge the gap between research and application through sustainable technologies like plastic pavers and solar tiles.
- Mr. Jerry Omulo, IP and Innovation Strategist at ACTS, will present insights on the critical role of society and inclusive innovation models in building sustainable tech ecosystems.
Register here: http://bit.ly/46qDARm