06/05/2026
As Africa continues to build its innovation infrastructure, South-South collaboration has emerged as a powerful catalyst for institutional growth. On 6 May 2026, a high-level delegation from The Gambia's National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) visited the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) as part of a comprehensive six-day institutional study tour aimed at strengthening The Gambia's science, technology, and innovation landscape.
The visit focused on understanding Kenya's innovation ecosystem, particularly the strategic structures that bridge the gap between research and the market. The delegation was led by Dr. Ebrima Sall, Chairperson of the NRIF Governing Board, alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Ms. Isatou Auber.
During the engagement, KeNIA showcased several flagship programs, including the Institutional Commercialization Support Program, the Presidential Innovation Awards, and the Innovation Academy. The sessions also provided detailed presentations on the Entrepreneurial Maturity Framework, strategies for building institutional linkages among academia, industry, and government, and Governance Policy Development.
Speaking at the event, KeNIA CEO Dr. Tonny Omwansa underscored the significance of South-South cooperation in advancing the continent's innovation agenda.
"We are honored to share Kenya's journey in building a research-to-commercialization architecture. This collaboration is vital; sharing our successes and challenges in institutional linkages allows us to accelerate the African innovation narrative collectively," he said.
Dr. Ebrima Sall, Chairperson of the NRIF Governing Board, highlighted Kenya's contextual relevance as a benchmark for the nascent NRIF.
"The NRIF's core operational systems are currently being developed, and this exposure to KeNIA's models in technology transfer and commercialization is invaluable to our mission of transforming knowledge into tangible development outcomes for The Gambia," he noted.
Established in 2025, the NRIF is at a critical stage of institutional development, making engagements of this nature particularly timely. This visit marks a significant milestone in fostering long-term partnerships between Kenya and The Gambia, with both nations committed to turning ideas into impactful solutions that drive economic growth across Africa.
