Our Work
Use this library to find and download resources published by RISA partners.
Latest Work
Unlocking capital for local businesses in Ghana and across Africa through an effective and affordable matchmaking service
Innovative businesses in Ghana struggle to raise financing to scale their operations. Very few funds invest smaller amounts of money that local businesses need, leading to a $5 billion financing gap. Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh), with support from the RISA Fund, is addressing this gap by leading collaborative action work with ecosystem players and scaling technology-driven deal sourcing in Ghana through launching and growing the Deal Source Africa (DSA) programme.
Africa Research and Innovation Commercialisation Summit (ARICS 2024) Report
Ecosystem players in the research, technology and innovation sector across Africa converged in Accra for a one-day Africa Research and Innovation Commercialisation Summit (ARICS 2024), a thought-leadership initiative of the research and innovation hub, Heritors Labs, its funding partners--RISA Fund, development agencies and strategic collaborators in academia, industry and public sectors.
Empowering Innovators: Launch of Phase 2 for the Research to Commercialization Accelerator
The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) is pleased to announce the launch of phase 2 for the Research to Commercialization (R2C) Accelerator Programme, with support from the RISA Fund.
‘Pre-acceleration’ in Africa: What Works
This research was produced in collaboration between Katapult Africa, with support from the RISA Fund, and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
Ecosystem Voices: Unpacking data experts perspectives on growth firms in Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda
This insight report is the fourth of a series produced by GrowthAfrica and Systemic Innovation under a FCDO-funded Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund project to conceptualise, design and launch a scalable and replicable model for a data observatory for scaling commercial ventures in
Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Assessing high growth firms in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda
This insight report is the third of a series produced by GrowthAfrica and Systemic Innovation under a FCDO-funded Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund project to conceptualise, design and launch a scalable and replicable model for a data observatory for scaling commercial ventures in Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Understanding the faps to lay stronger foundations: Appraising scaling data indicators in Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda
This insight report is the second of a series produced by GrowthAfrica and Systemic Innovation under a FCDO-funded Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund project to conceptualise, design and launch a scalable and replicable model for a data observatory for scaling commercial ventures in Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Enhancing South Africa’s Emerging Digital Technologies’ Innovation Ecosystem
A policy brief produced by the University of Johannesburg (UJ), with support from FCDO-funded project RISA.
Strengthening the Emerging Digital Technologies Ecosystem in Kenya
A policy brief produced by the University of Nairobi (UoN), with support from FCDO-funded project RISA.
Technology Transfer Assistance to Enhance Knowledge Exchange and Technology Transfer between SMEs and HEIs in Nairobi Innovation Ecosystem
A policy brief produced by the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), with support from FCDO-funded project RISA.
New Innovation Pathways: A data collaborative model for improved entrepreneurship decision-making in East Africa
This insight report is the first of a series produced by GrowthAfrica and Systemic Innovation under FCDO-funded project, RISA, to conceptualise, design and launch a scalable and replicable model for a data observatory for scaling commercial ventures in Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
R2C Programme – Lessons Learnt and Recommendations
ViKtoria Solutions, as part of ViKtoria Ventures, reflect on the research to commercialisation (R2C) programme.
Entrepreneurial Planning Institute (EPI) – Digibiz Programme
Industry & Technology
Katapult – Accelerating Innovation through Impact Technology Startups
Innovation, Climate & Agriculture
From Kenyan Research Labs to the Commercial World
Kenyatta University’s R2C project - building the capacity of researchers, including those from less privileged backgrounds, to strengthen the commercialisation of research output and intellectual property (IP) in all institutions, including those that are underserved.
Open PHENCES, the Custodians of Public-Private Collaborations in Kenya
Creating structures and microenvironments to encourage public uptake of innovations from small and medium sized innovators and sharing available information about challenges, solutions, and innovations in counties and support co-creation of joint investment cases.
The Mawazo Institute: Home of African Female Researchers
Empowering young African women researchers through the Mawazo Learning Exchange Fellowship programme.
Revolutionising Devolution in Kenya through Public Policy Actions
KIPPRA’s indices for monitoring progress in improving the business environment for growth and survival of Micro Small Enterprises (MSEs), as well as government performance and citizen satisfaction in the delivery of public services.
Promoting Equity and Inclusion for Women, People With Disabilities and Marginalised Communities in Ghana
Providing training, mentorship, and funding to women, people living with disabilities (PWDs), and marginalised groups on gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Catalysing Technology Transfer between Small Holder Farmers in Kenya and South Africa
Connecting smallholder farmers with innovative technologies through government and private sector support across South Africa and Kenya.
Linking Processors, Fabricators, and Research Institutes for Economic Growth in Nigeria
Adam Smith International (ASI) tests opportunities to link research institutes to local industry and local maker spaces in the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Impact Investing, the Pathway to Research-Industry Connections in Ghana
Establishing an evidence base for strengthening innovation systems, synergies between research and innovation by developing digital platforms to share information and link investors with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.
Heritors Labs – the Launchpad for Ghanaian Research and Innovations
Heritos Labs, in coordination with the RISA Fund, facilitates the formation of the Ghana Research and Innovation Support Programmes Coordinating Office (GRISPCO) to coordinate functions within the research and innovation community and deepen access to research ecosystem support.
Drone Technology, the New Frontier in Socioeconomic Empowerment
Burooj Enterprises Pty conducts a study to map and articulate opportunities and challenges related to the drone value chain in Kenya and South Africa to identify ecosystem drivers preventing small business growth, job creation.
Strathmore University Kenya – Open PHENCES, the Custodians of Public-Private Collaborations in Kenya
Strengthening Public-Private Collaborations for Public Sector Uptake of Small and Medium Enterprises Innovation.
The Mawazo Institute – Supporting Africa’s Next Generation of Women Research Leaders in Academia and Beyond
Supporting Africa’s Next Generation of Female Research Leaders in Academia and Beyond.
Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis – Revolutionising Devolution in Kenya through Public Policy Actions
Strengthening Research to Support the Devolved System of Government in Kenya.
Kenyatta University – From Kenyan Research Labs to the Commercial World
Research to Commercialisation (R2C) for Kenyan Universities and Research Institutes.
iSpace Foundation, Ghana – Using a GESI focused approach to Research and Innovation Value Chain Development and Commercialisation in Ghana
Bridging the Gap in Gender Inclusivity in the Tech Space through the Gender Awareness Programme (GAP).
Intini Research and Consulting South Africa – Our Seed Our Feed
Catalysing the Establishment of Sustainable Food Security Innovation Exchange for Transfer of Knowledge and Technology Innovations Between South Africa and Kenya.
Impact Investing Ghana – Sustainable Systems for Research and Innovation Financing
Strengthening Synergies Between Research and Industry to Unlock Pathways to Financing Innovation Systems.
Heritors Labs, Ghana – Expanding Accessibility of Research and Innovation Support Programmes
Building Capacity for Research and Innovation Management and Coordination.
Burooj Enterprises – Drone Technology, the New Frontier in Socioeconomic Empowerment
Understanding Opportunities to Strengthen Drone and Data Ecosystems for Skills Development in South Africa and Kenya.
Adam Smith International – Knowledge Exchange and Cascaded Commercialisation to Foster Local Economic Development
Linking Research Institutes to Local Industry Through Knowledge Exchange and Cascaded Commercialisation (KECC).