NRF Participates in Inaugural Bio-KE Project Advisory Board Meeting
The National Research Fund Kenya (NRF) participated in the inaugural Advisory Board Meeting of the Bio-KE Project, reaffirming its commitment to advancing Kenya’s science, research, and innovation agenda while supporting the country’s growing bioeconomy. The meeting was attended by NRF Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dickson Andala, highlighting the Fund’s active role in initiatives that harness research and innovation for sustainable national development.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, and convened Advisory Board members from academia, international research institutions, and bioeconomy innovation initiatives. Among the participants were Prof. James Kahindi, Vice Chancellor of Pwani University, the host institution of the project; Dr. Nataša Lovrić of the University of Eastern Finland; and Dr. Julius Ecuru of BioInnovate Africa and the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy. The session was hosted by the Acting Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Dr. David Ngigi, reflecting strong institutional collaboration in advancing Kenya’s bioeconomy ambitions.
The Bio-KE Project supports the implementation of Kenya’s National Bioeconomy Strategy by strengthening governance structures, enhancing research capacity, and developing skills in bioeconomy-related disciplines. A central focus of the project is the development of a postgraduate curriculum in bioeconomy studies, aimed at cultivating interdisciplinary expertise across biotechnology, agriculture, environmental sciences, and innovation management. The initiative will also strengthen research-to-industry linkages, support policy and regulatory advancement, and build a skilled workforce capable of translating biological resources into high-value, sustainable products. By embedding bioeconomy education within higher learning institutions, the project lays the foundation for long-term national competitiveness and inclusive economic growth.
Kenya’s bioeconomy holds transformative potential across agriculture, health, industrial biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Through collaboration between academia, government, industry, and international partners, the Bio-KE Project seeks to unlock innovation, promote value addition, and accelerate climate-smart and circular economy solutions. For the National Research Fund Kenya, participation reinforces its mandate to fund high-impact research, strengthen partnerships, and translate knowledge into tangible socio-economic outcomes. NRF remains committed to supporting research and innovation ecosystems that place science and technology at the centre of Kenya’s national transformation. Researchers, institutions, industry stakeholders, and development partners are invited to engage with this strategic initiative and contribute to shaping Kenya’s growing bioeconomy.
Learn more and get involved: www.bio-ke.org
