New Growth Pathways for Indigenous Knowledge Entrepreneurs

A new platform is helping Indigenous Knowledge holders turn traditional wisdom into regulated, market-ready products while expanding inclusive participation in South Africa’s bioeconomy.

Across Africa, generations of Indigenous Knowledge have shaped practices in natural health, wellness and agriculture. Yet many of these traditions remain outside formal innovation systems and commercial markets. A new Indigenous Knowledge Systems Product Development Regional Innovation Platform is working to change that by connecting traditional knowledge with scientific infrastructure, product development and market pathways. 

Established by UVU Bio in partnership with the Regional Innovation Support Programme (RISP), hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the platform will support Indigenous Knowledge holders and early-stage bioeconomy entrepreneurs across the Western and Eastern Cape. The focus is to help innovators move from traditional practices and raw materials to regulated, market-ready products that can participate in local and global value chains. 

The initiative comes at a time when global demand for natural and bio-based products continues to expand. For South Africa, this growth represents a significant opportunity to unlock value from its rich biodiversity and cultural knowledge systems. 

However, the pathway from traditional knowledge to commercial product development is not always straightforward. Many Indigenous Knowledge practitioners face barriers such as limited access to laboratories, regulatory expertise and product development support. 

The new platform aims to bridge these gaps by giving selected entrepreneurs access to UVU Bio’s specialised laboratories and technical teams. Participants will receive support with product formulation, testing, prototyping and regulatory readiness, alongside guidance on intellectual property, benefit-sharing frameworks, branding,  

“Indigenous Knowledge Systems are not informal or peripheral, they are a foundational pillar of South Africa’s bioeconomy,” said Dheepak Maharajh, CEO of UVU Bio. “This platform enables IKS holders to move from non-standardised and informal practices into standardised, science backed, market-ready products trading in the formal economy. In doing so, we are able to unlock new income streams, strengthen inclusive value chains, and position communities as active participants in the African bioeconomy.” 

Importantly, the initiative aims to expand participation in the bioeconomy by engaging Indigenous Knowledge holders from historically underrepresented communities, including women, youth, black innovators and persons with disabilities, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. 

For more information, read the full press release on ITWeb here