Africa’s bioeconomy is growing and UVU Bio is playing a pivotal role in developing infrastructure, talent, and investment opportunities needed to turn potential into progress.
Through innovative and strategic interventions, UVU Bio is equipping innovators with skills to turn bioeconomy related concepts into globally competitive solution.
With the launch of the Rwandan Bioeconomy Hub in 2024, UVU Bio is expanding its proven methodologies into East Africa. This hub serves as a dynamic nucleus for skills development, business incubation, and cutting-edge research, providing entrepreneurs and scientists with access to lab facilities, R&D capabilities, and mentorship across multiple disciplines.
By equipping Africa’s youth with the expertise needed to bring innovative solutions to market, UVU Bio is helping to build a stronger, more self-sufficient bioeconomy in Rwanda and surrounding regions.
UVU Bio backing Africa’s Bioeconomy
UVU Bio is paving the way for the growth and success of Africa’s Bioeconomy by ensuring that new infrastructure and resources are accessible to unlock opportunities for scientists and entrepreneurs.
“Historically, Africa’s valuable indigenous knowledge has been exploited by global North organisations because of the perceived lack of skilled professionals to take these ideas to market. Africa has some of the best scientists in the world, yet investment in local biotech innovation has fallen short compared to global counterparts. To change this, we must focus on developing African solutions to African challenges—leveraging our expertise, resources, and indigenous knowledge to drive sustainable impact” says Dheepak Maharajh, CEO of UVU Bio.
Africa produces less than 1% of its annual vaccine requirements, this leaves the continent vulnerable, as witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic when Africa’s governments struggled to source critical vaccines to save lives.
Considering that South Africa is a key player in science and technology; UVU Bio is rigorously creating an ecosystem for bioeconomy investment opportunities to thrive.
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed Africa’s reliance on imported medical innovations. The UVU Bio Lab in Cape Town—the continent’s first open-access biotech facility—is bridging this gap by providing scientists and entrepreneurs with critical lab space, mentorship, and business support.
“Now is the time to create opportunities that will lead to positive economic outcomes,” says Dheepak.
A promising future for Rwanda and South Africa
UVU Bio believes that to navigate the complex interplay of scientific advancement, regulatory hurdles, and the demands for skilled biotech professionals; different sectors need to collaborate to unlock the transformative power of biotechnology.
Rwanda’s government created an enabling environment for UVU Bio to form a strategic collaboration with the University of Rwanda, the Ministry of Education of Rwanda and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
“We are excited to be implementing our specialised biotech and pharma acceleration methodology in Rwanda because we have extensive experience in providing a platform for science, business and investment to come together”, says Dheepak.
By bringing together government, academia, and industry, UVU Bio is building a thriving bioeconomy that’s addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges—from climate change to healthcare innovation.
This is just the beginning—join us as we continue to develop talent, foster innovation, and strengthen Africa’s bioeconomy.
