key points
- Experts say Africa struggles to translate research into commercially viable products and services
- Overreliance on imported technologies undermines local innovation and sustainability
- AfricaX Summit 2026 to push collaboration between innovators, investors and policymakers
Main story
Stakeholders in Africa’s innovation and research ecosystem have raised concerns over the continent’s persistent inability to convert research outputs into market-ready solutions, warning that the gap is stifling economic growth and technological advancement.
The concerns were expressed in Abuja during a press briefing ahead of the AfricaX Summit 2026, organised by the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), which is expected to bring together innovators, policymakers and investors from across the continent.
President of AUST, Azikiwe Onwualu, said Africa is rich in intellectual capacity and research institutions but continues to fall short in translating innovation into tangible economic value.
He noted that Nigeria alone has over 300 tertiary institutions and a similar number of research centres, yet lacks a structured system to commercialise innovations and scale them into viable businesses.
“What we have done so far is like scratching the surface. We need to move from research to innovation, and from innovation to goods and services,” he said.
The issues
Despite a growing pool of researchers and innovators, Africa faces structural challenges that hinder the transition from laboratory research to market application.
Stakeholders pointed to weak linkages between academia and industry, limited access to funding, and an overreliance on imported technologies as key constraints.
According to Onwualu, the continent’s dependence on foreign technologies undermines local capacity and weakens sustainable development.
“Almost everything we use or consume is imported. That is why our development is not sustainable,” he added.
Additionally, many African innovators lack the institutional support, investment networks and policy frameworks required to scale their ideas.
What’s being said
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Kingsley Ogwudu, described the situation as urgent, warning that Africa risks losing its brightest minds if innovation ecosystems remain underdeveloped.
He emphasised that the continent’s youthful population represents a major opportunity but warned that without proper structures, talent will continue to migrate abroad.
“We want to move from brain drain to brain gain by creating the infrastructure where African talents can thrive,” he said.
Ogwudu added that the AfricaX Summit is designed as a practical platform to connect research with investment and policy support.
The summit will focus on innovation ecosystems, financing, youth and women empowerment, and public-private partnerships.
“This is not just another conference. It is a platform to connect ideas with investment and drive real impact,” he said.
What’s next
The AfricaX Summit 2026 is expected to convene stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, with a focus on bridging the gap between research and market value.
Organisers say the event will facilitate partnerships that can accelerate the commercialisation of innovations and strengthen Africa’s position in the global innovation economy.
Stakeholders are also calling for sustained investment, policy reforms and stronger collaboration between governments, private sector actors and research institutions.
Bottom line
Africa’s innovation potential remains vast but underutilised, and stakeholders say only a coordinated effort to align research, investment and policy can unlock the continent’s ability to turn ideas into economic value.
