Fourteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Advances in biosciences have expanded the range of possibilities for the utilization of biological resources worldwide, including Eastern Africa. However, uptake of bio-innovations within eastern Africa has been slow, a situation attributed to among other factors, inappropriate policies. We conducted a stakeholder analysis to identify policy limitations facing uptake of bioscience innovations within the sub-region and the key value chain actors. The exercise was aimed at coming up with proposals on efficient ways of involving the most appropriate stakeholders in projects from inception to markets. A stakeholder analysis tool was developed and circulated among researchers implementing nine projects sponsored by the Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) Program. The Principal Investigators and their teams used the tool to identify the key policy limitations facing their projects and the key actors to involve. The data collected was collated to identify any similarity in policy limitations and/or stakeholders across the projects. The outcome of the analysis shows that commercialization of biosciences innovations is faced by many policy challenges including restrictive policies on biotechnological research, limited appreciation of public-private partnerships, and weak agricultural extension systems, among others. The degree of the limitations varies from country to country. The policy gaps identified should be addressed by involving relevant stakeholders through various platforms, most importantly, one-on-one interactions between the researchers and policy makers. This is crucial in building the essential links necessary in bringing bio-innovations to the market. The ultimate outcome will be transformation of the sub-region into a bio-based economic hub.