Regional consultative workshop to develop the 2nd report on the state of the bioeconomy in East Africa, 2024

The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), SEI, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) through the BioInnovate Africa Programme developed this report which gave an overview of the bioeconomy in Eastern Africa and the availability and use of bioresources in the region. Emerging opportunities for bioeconomy development and examples of new successful bioeconomy entrepreneurs were also presented. The current status of bioeconomy development in all six BioInnovate countries was described including suggestions for a way forward on building a bioeconomy in the region.

Background

Awareness is increasingly being raised on bioeconomy development opportunities for the region. A report on the status, progress and opportunities for bioeconomy development in Eastern Africa is therefore very timely. Such a report would, apart from bioeconomy status, also highlight opportunities for interventions, investments and actions to develop an enabling environment for bioeconomy development in the region. The report would also be valuable for the newly developed regional bioeconomy Observatory and being the first in a forthcoming series of State of the bioeconomy in Eastern Africa report that could feature the Observatory in years to come. bioeconomy baseline data within the biennual reports would also be valuable in monitoring and evaluating forthcoming Bioeconomy implementation plans at both national and regional levels. The 2nd Report on the State of the Bioeconomy in Eastern Africa will provide the latest scientific evidence of the status of the bioeconomy in the region.

To realize the potential of the bioeconomy in the region, there is a need to translate the objectives of the regional strategy into actions and concrete roadmaps owned by various stakeholders in the region. To support such a process, the region would be greatly assisted by the development of a series of bioeconomy status reports. Such reports would provide a framework for reporting and monitoring the bioeconomy development in Eastern Africa mobilizing key actors (businesses, government, investors, etc) on what they need to do to move forward on various bioeconomy pathways and to spur a wider sustainability transformation.

Main Objective

To develop the 2nd Report on the State of the Bioeconomy in Eastern Africa for monitoring bioeconomy progress in the region, highlighting key pathways for bioeconomy development and suggesting actions mobilizing key actors to move forward in developing a vibrant bioeconomy for the region.

Specific Objectives

1. To discuss and agree on the status report content, work packages and deliverables, and timelines with those involved as contributors/authors of the report.
2. To discuss evidence-based resources to be referenced and provide a sciencebased guide for informed discussions on how to move forward in developing the bioeconomy in the region.
3. To discuss the set of key indicators, adapted for Eastern Africa, on how to monitor progress on bioeconomy in the region.
4. To discuss the general status of the bioeconomy in each EAC partner state.

Expected Outputs

1. A status report content, work packages and deliverables, and timelines
2. Evidence-based resources to be referenced and guide for informed discussions in developing the bioeconomy in the region
3. A set of key indicators to be used to monitor progress on bioeconomy in the region
4. General status of the bioeconomy in each EAC partner state.

Programme