Mourine Cheruiyot
As part of the ongoing momentum generated by the Evi-SICEE project, partners have continued to strengthen regional collaborations that extend beyond national boundaries. The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Uganda marks one such milestone, a spillover that underscores the project’s commitment to fostering youth and women-led clean energy enterprises, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange across Africa.
A Shared Vision for Climate Entrepreneurship
The meeting, held at the Makerere University Business School campus in Uganda, brought together representatives from MUBS, KCIC, and the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS). Discussions highlighted the value of partnerships that merge academic research, incubation, and entrepreneurship support to create sustainable climate solutions. The collaboration originated from earlier engagements under the Evi-SICEE framework, which aims to empower young innovators and women entrepreneurs working in clean energy sectors across Africa. Through this MoU, the institutions agreed to formalize cooperation in research, incubation, and mentorship, ensuring that results from current projects evolve into long-term, sustainable initiatives.
Strengthening Regional Innovation Ecosystems
The new partnership builds on a shared commitment to support climate-smart enterprises, enhance access to green financing and mentorship, and foster knowledge-driven entrepreneurship. KCIC, with over a decade of experience supporting thousands of green enterprises in Kenya and beyond, emphasized the importance of a Pan-African approach to climate innovation, one that nurtures locally developed solutions and scales impact across borders.
MUBS, on its part, showcased its vibrant innovation ecosystem, with active student and faculty engagement in research and enterprise incubation. The collaboration opens doors for Ugandan youth-led enterprises to access incubation support, market linkages, and mentorship through KCIC’s growing regional network.
Transforming Collaboration into Action
The MoU outlines practical steps to operationalize the partnership, including:
- Incubation of six youth-led enterprises under the Evi-SICEE project framework.
- Development of mentorship and internship pathways for students.
- Joint research and publications between the partnering institutions.
- Engagement with national ministries in Uganda to explore the establishment of a Uganda Climate Innovation Centre.
- A follow-up workshop to review progress and define next steps.
These actions reflect a clear roadmap toward deepening regional integration and scaling up climate innovation support.
Driving Sustainable Impact Beyond Projects
This collaboration symbolizes the spirit of the Evi-SICEE project, leveraging partnerships to amplify impact, create learning opportunities, and enhance sustainability beyond project lifecycles. It demonstrates how institutions can jointly address climate challenges by connecting research, innovation, and enterprise development.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to advance Africa’s green transformation agenda through inclusive, evidence-based, and entrepreneurial approaches.
