Kenya has launched a 10-year Kenya National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026–2036 aimed at transforming its biological resources into new industries, investments, and jobs. This initiative seeks to shift the nation towards a knowledge-driven economy by increasing domestic value addition and commercializing scientific innovations.

• The strategy aims to tackle youth unemployment, trade shocks, climate change, and low value addition in key sectors by leveraging science, technology, and innovation.
• Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi launched the strategy, emphasizing the need to move beyond exporting raw biological materials.
• Kenya plans to increase research and development spending towards 2 percent of GDP and foster stronger links between research institutions, universities, innovators, and industry.

The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Matt Baugh, stated that Africa must bridge its funding gap to effectively commercialise bioeconomy research and translate scientific discoveries into businesses.

• The primary challenge identified is moving research to an "investable proposition," not a lack of scientific ideas.
• Matt Baugh, speaking at the Africa Bioeconomy Workshop in Nairobi, highlighted the need for stronger links between research institutions, government, investors, and industry.
• The UK is supporting this in Kenya through initiatives like Forge Africa, aiming to build a pipeline of investment-ready businesses.

African nations are prioritizing staple crops like rice and cassava, alongside research commercialization, to enhance food security and reduce import reliance.

• This strategy involves building value chains that connect farmers to processors, research institutions, and consumers, transforming staple crops into raw materials for manufacturing.
• Sierra Leone is highlighted for its "Feed Salone" strategy, which has boosted rice yields from 1.5 to 2.7 metric tonnes per hectare.
• Key figures include Dr. Isata Kamanda, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, and Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Kenya's Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation.
• The approach aims to commercialize agricultural research, with initiatives like innovation academies and science parks being supported in Kenya.

Experts at the Africa Bioeconomy Workshop in Nairobi are urging East African nations to transition from bioeconomy research and strategies to developing profitable, local industries that add value to the region's biological resources.

• The goal is to move from exporting raw materials to local processing and manufacturing, thereby creating jobs and retaining more economic value within the continent.
• Key participants included Niall O’Connor, Centre Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Africa Centre, and Dr Abdou Tenkouano, Director General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe).
• Discussions highlighted the potential of agricultural residues and organic waste as feedstock for industries producing biofuels, biodegradable packaging, and bio-based construction materials, with a call for strengthened university-industry partnerships and improved regulatory standards.