Strengthening Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Southern Africa
The SAIS Workshop Series (2018–2019) was a flagship capacity-building initiative delivered in partnership with the Southern African Innovation Support Programme (SAIS 2). This impactful programme aimed to bolster innovation ecosystems and enhance entrepreneurship education across Southern Africa through evidence-based research, ecosystem mapping, and hands-on training.
Programme Overview
The workshop series brought together representatives from academic institutions, innovation hubs, and government bodies across the SADC region — including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Participants were guided through intensive training on:
- Ecosystem mapping and stakeholder analysis
- Exploratory interviews and qualitative research
- Social network analysis for innovation systems
- Data collection frameworks and impact case development
The series offered practical skills for evaluating innovation ecosystems, measuring impact, and strengthening project delivery through data-driven strategies.
Organizing Institutions
Southern African Innovation Support Programme (SAIS 2)
Loughborough University London
mLab Southern Africa
Hosted at: The Innovation Hub, Pretoria, South Africa
Facilitators and Thought Leaders
Among the distinguished facilitators was Professor Seun Kolade, a leading scholar in entrepreneurship and innovation. Representing Loughborough University London, Prof. Kolade played a vital role in delivering high-impact sessions on:
Theoretical and practical foundations of entrepreneurship ecosystems
Application of analytical frameworks for project evaluation
Developing scalable strategies for innovation-led development
Impact Across the SADC Region
The workshop supported 12 SAIS-funded innovation projects across the region. Through cross-border collaboration, teams developed improved strategies for:
- Engaging key stakeholders
- Building credible, evidence-based impact narratives
- Scaling innovation through regional partnerships
Impact Across the SADC Region
The workshop supported 12 SAIS-funded innovation projects across the region. Through cross-border collaboration, teams developed improved strategies for:
- Engaging key stakeholders
- Building credible, evidence-based impact narratives
- Scaling innovation through regional partnerships
Why It Matters
Innovation is a key driver of economic growth, especially in emerging regions. The SAIS workshop series equipped Southern African institutions with the tools to:
- Evaluate and strengthen their innovation ecosystems
- Integrate entrepreneurial education into policy and practice
- Foster a culture of collaboration and learning across borders