The University of Rwanda (UR) and the National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) have launched new projects to enhance research and innovation across the country.
Announced at Ur headquarters in Gicondo on Friday, May 2, the initiative aims to unite researchers, businesses and policymakers in a coordinated effort to transform innovative ideas into practical, real-world solutions.
With the title “Strengthening the Rwandan Research and Innovation Ecosystem through Training, Coordination and Collaboration,” the project is funded by the African Research and Innovation Systems (RISA Fund) program.
This project is the bridge phase of previous projects that developed national technology transfer and commercialization strategies, also funded by the RISA fund program. This project is based on the first project to implement and cascade commercialization strategies.
“It is hoped that key tools such as the maturity framework for entrepreneurial institutions and national online research repositories will help institutions work together more effectively and move ideas from labs to market.”
During the launch, Muganga noted that despite the growing number of initiatives, Rwanda’s innovative landscape lacked cohesion.
He encouraged better coordination and collaboration between agencies to create more integrated and effective systems.
Professor Muganga noted that the impact depends on close cooperation between academia, industry and government.
“We have a lot of strategies and policies, but what we often lack is monitoring their implementation. This project gives us an opportunity to change that.”
He explained that the project is rooted in Rwanda’s newly developed technology transfer and commercialization strategies, and will employ a trainer’s approach to strengthen local capabilities.
“The project aims to streamline research pathways from research to commercial, promote evidence-based policy decisions and foster a more vibrant culture of innovation.”
Dr. Eugene Mutimura, executive director of NCST, said while Rwanda is advancing its research, it is still ongoing to turn ideas into products that cater to the market.
“We are making progress, but we are not yet needed in terms of turning research into a market-ready product,” he said.
Mutimura said of the 136 projects funded by NCST, about half show possible national impact. However, researchers often struggle to focus on the final step and monetize their innovations.
“This is not just about research, it’s about employment, competitiveness and building a stronger economy,” dimura added.
As Rwanda aims to create 1.25 million jobs over the next five years, many of them are expected to come from innovation-driven industries. Mutimura has urged the institutions to collaborate, share resources and provide lasting value for the project.
“Let’s put together our strengths and move Rwanda forward,” he said.
At the event, participants discussed the need for stronger collaboration to ensure efficient use of research resources. They proposed the creation of a national database to map existing research infrastructure and capabilities, making it easier for institutions to share resources and avoid duplication.
There was also central hub support to store, certify and profit from technology, especially those that could benefit small businesses. Coordinating research with national development priorities such as the second National Change Strategy (NST2) and Vision 2050 was recognized as essential to ensure relevance and attracting funds.
A digital platform was also proposed to connect researchers, industry and policy makers. Tools such as AI-driven capabilities and real-time collaboration capabilities allow the platform to streamline communications and accelerate the innovation process.
Improved communication strategies were debated as essential to raising awareness and promoting a culture of innovation. Participants proposed organizing research efforts around subject clusters such as food systems, assessing progress and applying clear indicators to guide investment.
Participants proposed to showcase an unused university prototype called “orphan technology,” demonstrating its potential. By providing them with little or no free, institutions can prove their value, build public trust and encourage the use of these technologies.
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They also recommended regular market measures assessments, intellectual property audits, and the establishment of institutional quality assurance offices.
Professor Ignace Gatare, principal of the University of Science and Technology at UR, asked researchers to be based on the reality of Rwanda’s economic needs.
“We must move away from the idea of ivory towers and focus on the needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the backbone of Rwandan’s economy,” he said.
He also encouraged a better assessment of Rwandan research capabilities, not just in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality, and tracked the specific impact of the research. “What changes have we made after this project compared to before?” he asked.
Participants in the conference included UR researchers, NCSTs, and stakeholders who contributed to the national innovation ecosystem, including some ministries, research institutions, high learning institutions, and private companies.
