Place-based Innovation

KTN Global Alliance Africa is a six-year project designed to strengthen and scale local innovation and business environments in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Place-Based Innovation is one of four interventions for this programme.

Much of the current support and investment in innovation in our partner countries of Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa has concentrated upon particular urban centres. However, pan-African and many African national innovation strategies cite regional self-sufficiency and resilience as a top priority. Our own research reinforces that there is a strong demand for the shortening of supply chains, promotion of circular design and better links with the informal sector on a regional scale.

Our Place-Based Innovation intervention will strengthen the capacity and resilience of local innovation ecosystems through first working to better understand regional challenges, capabilities and potential for innovation, and then supporting action-orientated local innovation networks in areas of high potential.

Funding Opportunities

Energy Catalyst Round 9

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £20 million to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or the Indo-Pacific regions.

Opens: 18/05/2022 Closes: 10/08/2022

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Global IX challenge: Re-use, Re-fill, Re-imagine – Innovative solutions for online consumer products within South-Africa

This Global Alliance Innovation Exchange challenge competition is supporting Unilever to identify innovative approaches towards new circular business models for reuse and refill models for online customers within South Africa.

Opens: 11/03/2022 Closes: 15/05/2022

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Recorded: 2nd September

KTN Global Alliance Africa: Place-based Innovation - Local Design Workshops

Place-based Innovation is a key intervention within the KTN Global Alliance Africa. It’s objective is to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem and improve access to meaningful opportunities in each of our pilot areas: ELDORET, Kenya, EKITI STATE, Nigeria, GAUTENG, South Africa.

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News

08.03.2022

Growing the South African economy: The case for investing in innovation

South Africa needs to fast track economic growth to reduce poverty and inequality. To create this economic growth, South Africa will need to embrace innovation, says Dr Nee-Joo Teh, Project Director of KTN Global Alliance Africa.

08.03.2022

Global Alliance Africa project showcases inspiring women

Hear from some of Global Alliance’s inspiring partners and Advisory Group members, whom we are proud to be able to showcase today on International Women’s Day.

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Programmes related to Place-Based Innovation

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Global Alliance Africa

Global Alliance Africa is a six-year project designed to strengthen and scale local innovation and business environments in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

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AgriFood Africa Connect brings innovative people and organisations across the UK and Africa together to address key AgriFood challenges in Africa. We build diverse connections across the UK and Africa to drive positive change that aligns with the UK’s Overseas Development Assistance goals.