1. FANLab: Scaling Innovations through Open Science
Isaac Nyabisa Oteyo
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

2. Introduction
Eastern Africa & Africa as a whole face a myriad of challenges in a range of sectors;
Agriculture,
Food security,
Education,
Security, among others;
These provide a great opportunity for resilient innovations and interventions.

3. Problems in Africa Animal – human conflicts
Case for Fulani migrations in Nigeria
Case for Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania
Case for Botswana
Global warming and climate change
Drought and hunger
Unemployment
Crimes
Drug abuse
Health
Accidents e.g., boda bodas
Diseases e.g., malaria
Pollution
Governance and Democracy
Corruption

4. Opportunity in Eastern Africa
Unique set of challenges
Unique set of research questions
Open data, open science and open innovation space
Talented individuals/millenials
Universities and a vibrant private sector
Regional university networks
RUFORUM, NRENs

5. Innovation Ecosystem in Eastern Africa
Universities
Kenya; UoN (FabLab, C4DLab), KU (Chandaria Business and Incubation Centre), Strathmore JKUAT (Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park)
Uganda; Makerere RAN Lab)
Tanzania; UDSM, DIT
Innovation spaces;
Kenya; iHub, m:lab, NaiLab, GrowthHub, Nairobi Startup Garage, Pawa254 etc
Uganda; Hive Colab, Outbox, Angels Hub, The Hub, FinAfrica etc
Tanzania; Buni Hub, KINU, etc

6. Innovation Stakeholders
Source: P. M. Cunningham, M. Cunningham, and L. Ekenberg (2014)

7. Opportunities; Reasons for FANLab
Weak coordination and collaboration
Inadequate networking
Mismatches between HEI education and market requirements
Weak mechanisms for innovation transfer and commercialization
Science gateways in Africa championing open data and open science

8. Solutions & Innovations
FANLab
Research Community
Industry & Community
FANLab
Research facilities
Faculty/staff
Students
Research community
Problems/challenges
Funding
Internship/placement
Technical support
Match making
Research coordination
Targeted solutions to industry & community
Hackathon environment
Solutions & Innovations
Problems
S o l u ti o n s
University

9. Possible Outcome Vibrant innovation ecosystem
Documented researchable problems
More engagement with graduate students
Versatile solutions to existing challenges
More university – industry linkages

10. Conclusion
Open innovations has potential for creating an environment for open collaborations, enhancing and promoting open data and open science.

11. Thank you!