Place-Based Innovation

Much of the current support and investment in innovation in our partner countries of Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya has concentrated on particular urban centres. However, pan-African and many African national innovation strategies cite regional self-sufficiency and resilience as a top priority.

Introduction to Place-Based Innovation

Place-Based Innovation (PBI) leverages UK and pan-African expertise, networks and resources in order to build capacity for local innovation ecosystem players to drive forwards stronger, more sustainable and more inclusive local ecosystems.

Our own research reinforces that there is a strong demand for the shortening of supply chains, promotion of circular design and better links with the informal sector on a regional scale.

This video gives an overview of the Place-Based Innovation Intervention within the Global Alliance Africa project.

Activities such as Local Innovation Audits, Local Innovation Action Plans, Knowledge exchange and transfer activities, Capacity strengthening activities, Local Innovation Network convening events, Testing of collaboration approaches and models, and Continuous learning and Documented Case Studies will result in a stronger, more sustainable and more inclusive local innovation ecosystem that facilitates the development of locally-driven innovation solutions in response to locally identified challenges.

Advisory Groups

Advisory Groups have been formed consisting of representatives from across the innovation ecosystem, including research institution, investment, NGO, innovation support organisations and government representatives. Advisory Group members have been crucial to define challenge / focus areas and in some instances lead activities locally.

Case Studies from Global Alliance Africa Place-Based Innovation 2022/2023

Case Studies from Global Alliance Africa Place-Based Innovation 2022/2023

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Current Activities

More than a Woman

More than a Woman

The #MoreThanAWoman initiative brought together an initial cohort of eight women innovators for capacity building and networking support with a final four finalists receiving additional pitch training and the development of a professional video showcasing their stories as innovators.

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Young Innovators

Young Innovators

The youth-led innovation dialogue is meant to bring solutions for the youth and provide platforms that allow them to accelerate. Global Alliance Africa recently partnered with The Convergence to host the largest youth gathering in Ekiti State. Finalists are currently undergoing pitch training before being given the opportunity to showcase their unique ideas to a global platform of innovation investors, advocates and enablers.

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Agri-innovation Pilots

Agri-innovation Pilots

UK-Eldoret partnerships are exploring collaboration to address specific, locally defined, challenges in value addition processes and market access in the agriculture sector. The collaborations are looking at the transfer and local adaptability of specific UK technology and innovations to solve for the challenges identified. These partnerships are hoping to test, pilot and iterate solutions with the intention to scale the technology and impact in Eldoret and beyond.

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Bhavya Srinivasan

Our Expert

Bhavya Srinivasan

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