Arusha, Tanzania 21^st April, 2022: – Academic Public-Private Partnership Forum has called for more funding to be availed to innovators to drive Africa’s sustainable economic development.

The Academic Public-Private Partnership Forum (APPPF) & Exhibition showcased over 20 innovations ready for commercialization. “The innovations can be scaled beyond Africa and shape East Africa’s future,” said EABC CEO, Mr. John Kalisa.

The professors stated that industry captains have a duty to share problems for academic innovators to research and develop inception ideas and concepts for invention & innovation.

Speaking at the forum, Hon. John Mongella applauded H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania for spearheading the Tanzania Development Vision 2025. Hon. Mongella elaborated that proper education, innovation and partnership with the private sector are central to attaining the vision. He stated that the APPPF is set to enable Tanzania and East Africa to respond better to emerging challenges such as climate change and drive sustainable economic growth and competitiveness.

The NM-AIST Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Luoga said that APPP is very important in advocating Innovation and Research for Industrial development.  He said “NM-AIST encourages Public-Private Partnership, as stressed in our new cooperative strategic plan, which aims to strengthen Academic Public-Private Partnership and outreach programmes to increase awareness of inventions and innovations.”

The Chief Guest, the Secretary-General of the East African Community represented by Ms. Flavia Busingye, EAC Director of Customs said, the Democratic Republic of Congo joined the East African Community expanding the vast endowment of natural resources in the EAC.

She called upon the academic institutions to build skills and knowledge of young professionals in areas of research, innovation, science and technology in order to benefit from the natural resources and improve the livelihoods of East Africans.

On his part, EABC CEO, Mr. John Kalisa urged students to offer wise solutions and innovations that respond to the community and industry needs.

Speaking at the forum, Mrs. Judith Lubuva, Arusha Region KCB Bank Branch Manager, said KCB Bank Tanzania is committed to driving sustainable development in East Africa by offering digital financial solutions to ease access to finance to innovators, women, SMEs and corporates. She elaborated that KCB Bank “Tujiajiri Program” has trained youth and innovative startups in business planning, marketing and financial management.

The Academic-Public-Private Partnership Exhibition showcased innovative solutions that are ready for commercialization. The innovations are Biogas stove products,  Smart Masai Animal Grazing System, Fish Feed,  Leather Turning, Digital Application System,  Botanical Biopesticides,   Water Filter,  Waste Management system,  Smart card for water sale, Automated surgical gown,  Nano filter, Home-based smart ugali cooker, Navigation system for blind people,  Automatic fare metering system for bajaji and bodaboda,  Smart Industrial electrical energy analytics & forecasting system, Dry system Machine,  Instant Flower, Nutrano, Oysters’ products,  African nightshades – Cushnite butter, Bibo juice, Ibo Crips. The exhibition also showcased the electric vehicle by E-Motion Africa Ltd.

The Forum convened over 120 business leaders from East Africa and innovators from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and resolved to hold frequent match-making sessions between the innovators, investors and financial institutions.

The Forum was organized by East African Business Council and Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) with support from the African Development Bank, WISE- Futures, Centre for Research, Agricultural Advancement, KCB Bank Tanzania,  Hanspaul Industries Limited, E-Motion Africa Ltd and A To Z Textiles Mills.