By: Kasiku Kayuma – Social Innovation and Research Associate

Knowledge seamlessly meets action. Groundbreaking ideas spark enterprise. Africa’s universities are fundamentally rewriting their story, transforming from traditional centres of academic learning into dynamic catalysts of innovation. In a world where innovation is the new currency, institutions like Zambia’s universities are becoming essential launchpads for ideas that will drive economic transformation.

In Zambia, this movement is gaining momentum as institutions of higher learning seek to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. By fostering collaboration with innovation hubs, industry players, and development partners, universities are positioning themselves as key drivers of the country’s knowledge-based economy. This shift represents a significant opportunity to harness intellectual capital and youth potential in solving national challenges.

 A Partnership Forged in Innovation

A major milestone in this direction was marked recently through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BongoHive and the University of Zambia (UNZA). The agreement establishes a long-term framework to strengthen ties between academia and the innovation ecosystem.

The MoU lays out a commitment to co-create platforms where students, researchers, and entrepreneurs can collaborate on solutions that address Zambia’s most pressing socio-economic needs.

Professor Mundia Muya, Vice Chancellor of UNZA, enthusiastically affirmed the MoU as a vital step towards repositioning the university as a hub for applied research and innovation. 

“Universities must evolve to meet the demands of the 21st century. Our partnership with BongoHive is a practical pathway for our students and researchers to translate knowledge into solutions that impact society,” he said.

From BongoHive’s perspective, this initiative extends its mission to catalyse Zambia’s innovation ecosystem. 

“Innovation thrives where ideas, expertise, and opportunity intersect. Working with UNZA allows us to build those intersections at the heart of the country’s largest university,” said the Executive Director, Lukonga Lindunda. “Together, we can nurture a generation of innovators who are not only employable but also capable of creating employment”.

The Power of Collaboration

The BongoHive–UNZA partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration between academia and innovation hubs. While universities provide deep research expertise and a pool of talented students, hubs like BongoHive bring market insights, mentorship networks, and entrepreneurial experience. By working together, they turn academic research into tangible innovations that solve real problems. For instance, a joint program could fast-track a student’s agricultural sensor research into a pilot project for local farmers.

Such partnerships support Zambia’s national development agenda by aligning academic research with the needs of industry and government. Through joint programmes, students gain hands-on innovation experience, startups receive technical and business support, and faculty members engage in applied research with tangible societal value.

Building the Future of University-Led Innovation

This collaboration comes at a pivotal time as the country’s innovation landscape continues to evolve, shifting the focus from simply producing graduates to developing innovators who can tackle real challenges. With over half of Zambia’s population under 25, the need for platforms that translate youthful creativity into sustainable enterprises has never been greater.

The BongoHive–UNZA MoU is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a powerful call to action. This model partnership will drive joint activities—from innovation challenges and mentorship programmes to research projects—and is expected to serve as a blueprint for other universities across the country.

Over time, these alliances will help shape Zambia’s future of knowledge-driven enterprise. They will turn campuses into living labs where ideas are tested, refined, and launched into society. By investing in university-led innovation today, Zambia is laying the foundation for a future powered by knowledge, creativity, and collaboration—one in which universities are not only centres of learning, but also engines of national transformation.