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, marking a key step in strengthening Kenya’s bioeconomy framework and advancing the country’s science, research, and innovation agenda.
The meeting was chaired by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Science, Research and Innovation – Kenya, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, and brought together distinguished Advisory Board Members, including 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 Ag. Director General of the National Commission for Science and Technology (NACOSTI), reflecting the strong institutional alignment driving Kenya’s bioeconomy ambitions.
Building Capacity for a Competitive Bioeconomy
The Bio-KE Project is designed to support the implementation of Kenya’s National Bioeconomy Strategy by strengthening governance, research capacity, and skills development in bioeconomy-related disciplines.
A central pillar of the project is the development of an overarching postgraduate curriculum in bioeconomy studies. This initiative will:
- Develop interdisciplinary expertise across biotechnology, agriculture, environmental sciences, and innovation management
- Strengthen research-to-industry linkages and commercialization pathways
- Support policy coherence and regulatory advancement
- 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.
Positioning Science at the Centre of Development
Kenya’s bioeconomy holds transformative potential in agriculture, health, industrial biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Through structured 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, participation in this initiative reinforces its mandate to mobilize resources, fund high-impact research, and strengthen partnerships that translate knowledge into tangible socio-economic outcomes.
NRF remains committed to supporting research and innovation ecosystems that drive sustainable development and position science and technology at the centre of Kenya’s national transformation.
Researchers, institutions, industry stakeholders, and development partners are invited to engage in this strategic initiative.
Learn more and get involved: www.bio-ke.org
