This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
On November 27, 2019, Mbugua Njihia highlighted the importance of co-innovation in unlocking Africa's business potential.
Co-innovation, a collaborative approach between enterprises and startups, can help bridge the gap between solution-rich startups and established businesses with available resources.
However, the concept of co-innovation remains underutilized in Africa, with academic institutions, hubs, and labs failing to provide a launchpad for startups and corporate classes to collaborate.
Academic institutions, with their treasure trove of knowledge, should be at the forefront of cross-industry research and development, but this is often not the case.
Graduates from these institutions often find themselves employed or starting their own ventures, but face challenges in accessing markets and establishing themselves as equals in the business world.
It is essential for Africa to reevaluate and reestablish its ecosystem relationships to avoid missing out on opportunities that can be seized through co-innovation.
