ARICSummit

[Derrydean Dadzie @legenDerrydean]

Catalysing an Innovation-Led Economic Transformation in Africa - The ARICS Story

The video below contains my opening speech from the Africa Research and Innovation Commercialisation Summit (ARICS)

In an era where innovation drives global progress, Africa's contribution to the realms of science, technology, innovation, and research (STIR) has been a mere droplet in a vast ocean of possibilities. While other economies have harnessed the transformative power of research and innovation, strategically allocating substantial portions of their GDP to these critical endeavours, Africa has yet to fully embrace this paradigm shift.

As the CEO of Heritors Labs Limited, I had the privilege of hosting the inaugural Africa Research and Innovation Commercialization Summit,@Arics2024, on 28th February 2024. This ground-breaking event, supported by The RISA Fund and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders from industry, academia, research institutions, and government agencies, united in their commitment to propel the commercialisation of research and innovation outcomes.

ARICS 2024 was a bold step towards initiating a transformative dialogue that would orchestrate a much-needed Labs-to-markets mindset shift to concretise a natural innovation and research commercialisation orientation. I believe this would unlock and deliver the impetus needed to unravel Africa's vast potential for innovation-led economic growth.

In addition to our esteemed partners, including Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI) @mestighofficial , Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) , Private Enterprise Federation (PEF), AGI [Association of Ghana Industries], UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), Development Bank Ghana, 3i Africa Summit, Impact Investing Ghana,@iSpaceGh, Accra Technical University, and @ugbsofficial, among others, we achieved these two significant milestones:

1. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Heritors Labs and Impact Investing Ghana, forging a collaborative partnership to scale hurdles confronted during collaborations between industry, academia, and research institutions.
2. A report on the UK-Africa Innovation Trust Corridor (ITC) was unveiled, paving the way for cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange, fostering a global ecosystem of innovation and progress

The crucial questions in the video below still demand our collective attention.
1. What tangible steps can Africa take to transition into an innovation-led economy?
2. How can we cultivate an environment that nurtures and sustains a thriving culture of research and innovation?
Share your insights, perspectives, and ideas as we embark on this transformative journey together. We are open to more partnerships on this quest.

[Kwaku Nhyira-Addo @GhRainmaker]

So I did a little thing… learning. #ARICSUMMIT2024

[ARICSummit @Arics2024]

That wraps up our maiden #ARICSUMMIT2024 which has hosted beautiful minds in research, industry and academia. We do hope and believe you have enjoyed each conversation today, thanks for joining us.

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One of panelists from an earlier session was shocked to learn that there are only 2 female Pharmacognosy professors in Ghana, that observation drove her to start a project to encourage more women to enter into that branch of science. #ARICSUMMIT2024

[ARICSummit @Arics2024]

3rd panel discussion dwelt on "from academia to industry through research & innovation development" moderated by Nana Oye Ankrah, a broadcast journalist @asaaseradio995

with Ebow Anamuah-Mensah, Ida Mannoh, Daniel Anim-Prempeh, Sophia Kudjordji & Marian Nkansah #ARICSUMMIT2024

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Earlier, we had members of the Senku Live Band serenade the audience at #ARICSUMMIT2024 with renditions of popular songs.

[ARICSummit @Arics2024]

Here are some moments at the #ARICSUMMIT2024 where we have been discussing cross border research to drive innovation in industry across Africa. It's been a day of learning, networking and experience so far. Join the conversation using the abovementioned hashtag.

[ARICSummit @Arics2024]

A presentation by the co-authors of a report on "research-based evidence to support the formation of the UK-Africa innovation trust corridor, Prof. Gordon Adomdza, George and @legenDerrydean. DerryDean encourages lawyers to go into innovation law. #ARICSUMMIT2024

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"Trust must start at home, if it's not existent at home it won't cross the border." - @GhRainmaker wrapping up a panel on "the role of cross border innovation trust corridors in delivering viable export markets for research & innovation outcomes." at #ARICSUMMIT2024

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Tune in live to experience the Africa Research & Innovation Commercialisation Summit on Facebook! 📺🌍 Don't miss out on the action - watch here: https://t.co/5ceUghM6ne #ARICSUMMIT2024

[ARICSummit @Arics2024]

Find the similarities that exist among each country in Africa and work together because what happens in one country is relatable to the other. - Priscilla Chimwele #ARICSUMMIT2024

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Priscilla Chimwele, Exec. Dir. of Wala Energies observed on another panel discussion the inability to share research across African borders that remains a major challenge with research and innovation. #ARICSUMMIT2024

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Kofi Dadzie spoke on data sovereignty in an era where data has become a valuable commodity that could be harnessed by innovators for cross border trade. #ARICSUMMIT2024

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According to @isaacsesi, SESI Technologies spoke to ~600 farmers in 37 communities to sell its technology but observed that the needs of the farmers went beyond moisture content. Today, SESI Technologies has >5k farmers that it serves. #ARICSUMMIT2024

[ARICSummit @Arics2024]

Founder of SESI Technologies, @isaacsesi made a presentation on how he started his company. SESI Technologies started in a space that was provided by KNUST his alma mater. He raised $100k in funding to kickstart the company. #ARICSUMMIT2024

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The panelists pose for a photograph after the discussion. #ARICSUMMIT2024

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Panel Discussion: Prof. Victor Murinde, Ben Gyan-Kesse, James Arthur-Amoah, David Ofori, Kwame Oppong, Joyce Afriyie & @benkoku

Topic - 'more money solves problems: unlocking funding & investments to advance the research & innovation economy in Africa'.
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A new approach to research is collation. - Dr. Joyce Afriyie #ARICSUMMIT2024

[ARICSummit @Arics2024]

A report on the 'trajectorial discovery of Ghana's innovation markets and value chain map for sustainable innovation commercialisation' was launched, co-authored by @legenDerrydean & Prof Gordon Adomdza and supported by
@FCDOGovUK & The STIRS Collaborative. #ARICSUMMIT2024