BioInnovate Africa Programme

08/05/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭: 🦟 Mosquitoes are selective feeders! Things like body heat, sweat, body odour, blood type, and even dark clothing can make some people more attractive to than others.

With still posing a major public health challenge in , innovative and sustainable solutions are more important than ever. Many previously effective interventions are becoming less reliable as drug-resistant malaria parasites continue to spread.

Through , innovation and partnerships, BioInnovate Africa Programme is supporting the development of sustainable biosolutions to strengthen malaria control efforts and improve health outcomes on the continent. Read more: https://bioinnovate-africa.org/april-2026-eliminating-malaria-in-africa/

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda -PSU JENA Herbals Uganda Limited University of Bahr El Ghazal-UBG Université Officielle de Bukavu

25/04/2026

Africa’s rich can be harnessed into solutions for some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

Prof. Patrick Ogwang, a respected and renowned in and beyond, is at the forefront of medicinal plant–based innovations addressing a range of diseases, including COVIDEX for the treatment of COVID-19. He also serves as co-Principal Investigator of a BioInnovate Africa Programme supported project that is developing biobased supplements to Artemisinin-based combination therapies for malaria treatment.

In this special podcast episode, he shares insights with us into the SUPPACT product — an African solution that harnesses nature to tackle drug resistance, improve treatment outcomes, and strengthen efforts toward prevention and eventual elimination of malaria. Listen in: https://bioinnovate-africa.org/category/news/podcasts/

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda -PSU JENA Herbals Uganda Limited University of Bahr El Ghazal-UBG Université Officielle de Bukavu

25/04/2026

Do you remember your first encounter with ? On this , one of our colleagues at BioInnovate Africa Programme of ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology reflects on her first experience with malaria. We also highlight a we support that combines with modern to offer a safer, environmentally friendly, and affordable solution in the fight against malaria. Read more: https://bioinnovate-africa.org/harnessing-nature-to-end-malaria-in-africa/

We’d love to hear about your malaria encounter — share your story in the comment section.

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda -PSU JENA Herbals Uganda Limited University of Bahr El Ghazal-UBG Université Officielle de Bukavu

Many of us living in Africa remember our first encounter with malaria with striking clarity. Mine was when I was about nine years old, as a primary school pupil in Kisumu, western Kenya. That morning

13/04/2026

This recent feature by Food Tank spotlights icipe's work on transforming into dignified employment opportunities for the youth in the agri-food system.

At BioInnovate Africa Programme of ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, we support innovations that harness biological resources to create economic opportunities, strengthen environmental sustainability, and advance food security in Africa. Listen to this podcast to learn more: https://foodtank.com/news/2026/04/creating-dignified-jobs-for-youth-through-agricultural-research-and-innovation/

26/03/2026

This call for papers is open to all interested parties in the bioeconomy, including academics, universities, and practitioners. Contribute to the upcoming Special Issue on: “𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮”. 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄! https://ajfand.net/AJFAND/icipebioinnovate.html

13/03/2026

🌍 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐬: 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐧 “𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚”

Africa’s is gaining momentum, creating new opportunities for research, innovation, and sustainable development. BioInnovate Africa Programme, in collaboration with the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), invites and practitioners to submit manuscripts for a forthcoming Special Issue on “Bioeconomy in Africa.”

This Special Issue builds on the momentum generated by the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2024 (www.gbs2024.org), held on 23–24 October 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme “One Planet – Sustainable Bioeconomy Solutions for Global Challenges.” The Summit brought together over 500 in-person participants from more than 57 countries, alongside about 2,000 virtual participants, marking the first time the Summit was held in .

The Special Issue aims to advance scholarly and policy discussions on bioeconomy pathways that support Africa’s sustainable development. For more information and to submit your manuscript, visit: https://ajfand.net/AJFAND/icipebioinnovate.html .tab=0

📅 Submission deadline: 30 April 2026

ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete Bio-KE National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation Easteco Bioeconomy Coalition of Africa

12/03/2026

The 24th BBioInnovate Africa Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting was held virtually on 11 March 2026. At the meeting, the PAC members reviewed the implementation progress of supported innovation projects and shared insights to strengthen support for upscaling the developed biobased products to the market. They also discussed strategic priorities for supporting wider networking opportunities, policy and stakeholder engagement and partnerships in fostering bioeconomy development in Africa.

Learn more about the PAC members here: https://bioinnovate-africa.org/category/about-us/programme-advisory-committee/

ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologySSida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete

11/03/2026

Coffee is an important crop for many in . But its production is under threat from a serious disease known as wilt disease. The disease is caused by a fungus called 𝐹𝑢𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑥𝑦𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠.

Infected trees show symptoms such as leaf discoloration, leaf loss, swelling of trunks, cracks in mature trees, and eventually plant death. There is currently no fully effective control method. Farmers often manage the disease by uprooting infected plants, pruning affected branches, and applying pesticides. 🟢 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬!

BioInnovate Africa Programme is supporting a project that has developed a product to manage coffee wilt disease in . The product, called 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬, has a dual action (biofungicide + biofertilizer). It controls the disease while also improving soil health and nutrient supply. This not only protects coffee trees but also increases farmers’ income and supports sustainable coffee production. Read more: https://bioinnovate-africa.org/february-2026-management-of-coffee-wilt-disease-in-east-africa/

Kaffabio Control Agro-Industry PLC National Coffee Research Institute KALRO National Agricultural Research Organisation - NARO Uganda Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Triasper Plus is an organically certified biofungicide and biofertilizer that increases the productivity of Arabica and Robusta coffee farms by controlling Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD). The product’s dual action (biofungicide + biofertilizer) addresses broader farmer

06/03/2026

Happy ! 🎉

On this , we celebrate the incredible women around the world who are giving back through research, innovation, mentorship, and solutions that benefit society.

In this blog, we highlight inspiring stories of supported through the BioInnovate Africa Programme Women's Fellowship and how their reciprocity contributes to sustainable development while fostering East Africa’s . Read: https://bioinnovate-africa.org/women-in-science-fostering-a-bioeconomy-in-east-africa/

Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

02/03/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡?

It begins with bare feet. A silent intruder slips in, lured by the exposed skin. At first, it feels like nothing — 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵, 𝗮 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲. But beneath the surface, it burrows deeper, settles in, and quietly takes control. What seemed insignificant slowly turns painful, inflamed, and disabling.

By the time its presence is undeniable, it has already taken hold. And when the intruder is finally discovered, the battle to remove it is rarely gentle. Harsh chemicals are poured onto open skin — 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 — desperate to force it out. The pain is immediate. The relief, uncertain. Read more: https://bioinnovate-africa.org/has-the-silent-intruder-finally-met-its-match/

MMUST - Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Official) Gulu University KALRO Kenya News Agency - KNA Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete

20/11/2025

In many farms across , sweetpotato, cassava, and Irish potato peels are often seen as simple waste. But for Margareth, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), these peels hold the key to creating greener, more sustainable solutions for everyday challenges.

She uses her expertise in molecular diagnostics, plant tissue culture, and bioinnovation to create solutions that support sustainable farming and healthier soils, while improving livelihoods for local communities. Her work has resulted in three practical, plant-based products made from starch extracted from agricultural waste: 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐆𝐞𝐥 – a sustainable gelling agent for tissue culture media; 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 – biodegradable potting bags for tissue-culture plantlets; and 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 – eco-friendly carrier bags that replace conventional plastics.

Margareth is a cohort IV BioInnovate Africa Programme Women Scientists Fellowship beneficiary and recently took part in the Biobased Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, where she enhanced her skills to strengthen and scale these innovations. Watch the video below to hear more about her bootcamp experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmoCp_aGgg