Calls grow by Health experts to turn innovation to tangible results

Urgent appeals by health experts from across Africa are growing for the continent to shift from generating innovative ideas to delivering tangible results that can transform the health sector.

Various stakeholders who convened at the Evidence for Development Conference 2025 in Nairobi stressed the importance of translating research and innovation into practical solutions that can transform healthcare and improve the lives of people on the ground.

Speaking during the third and final day of the conference on Thursday, one message was clear: while innovation and ideation are vital starting points in providing solutions to societal challenges facing the continent, the real impact lies in validating these ideas, securing the necessary resources, and executing them effectively.

Yemaachi Biotech co-founder and CEO Yaw Bediako, Ghana emphasised that innovation and invention should go hand in hand in developing ideas in the scientific ecosystem, which can then be executed by the private sector.

“The real question we must ask is: Why are we focusing more on innovation than on invention? We keep bringing new ideas to the table, yet we lack the space and support to truly test and break them down, refine, and rebuild them into workable solutions,” he stated.

He urged the governments of the different states to eliminate structural and institutional barriers that hinder the effective application of talent in developing and delivering solutions.

This, he said, can be done by incentivising the private sector to attract more investments, exploring Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), and funding venues that can lead to health reforms.

“The states should also make it easier for talent to move across Africa without paying for the expensive permits,” he said.

Chief Resource Mobilisation Officer at the COMESA Secretariat, Deo Kamweya, emphasised that the research and development sector plays a crucial role in delivering effective solutions, stating that increasing the number of PhD holders on the continent would significantly contribute to advancing this sector and fostering innovation.

“Every year, China, with a population of 1.4 billion, produces 57,000 PhDs, while the United States produces 23,000. In contrast, Africa is fortunate if we produce 2,000. Yet, we continue to discuss innovation,” he said.

“According to World Bank reports, for Africa to transform its research and development sector, we must produce 100,000 PhDs over the next decade.”

A key challenge identified by the experts was the urgent need to address the ongoing brain drain, which continues to hinder Africa's innovation growth.

They noted that retaining and nurturing homegrown talent is essential for driving innovation and ensuring that African solutions are developed by African minds.

African Institute of Biomedical Science & Technology President Collen Masimirembwa, Zimbabwe, expressed his frustration over the loss of talent, noting that organisations invest significantly in training professionals, only for them to leave and seek opportunities abroad.

He further called on governments to reconsider their approach of hastily encouraging individuals to start their own companies, pointing out that only about 1 per cent of the population are natural entrepreneurs, while the vast majority function as part of the working capital needed to sustain established enterprises and public institutions.

The conference underscored a critical shift needed in Africa’s innovation landscape from generating ideas to ensuring their practical application and measurable impact.

Experts stressed that innovation must be paired with invention, supported by strong research and development ecosystems, and sustained by policies that prioritise retention of talent and mobility.