UNZA and BongoHive Partner to Commercialise Innovation
The University of Zambia (UNZA) has entered into a landmark partnership with BongoHive Innovations Limited aimed at transforming academic research and student-led projects into market-ready solutions and scalable enterprises.
The strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Tuesday in Lusaka, formalises collaboration between the country’s largest public university and its leading technology and innovation hub. The agreement seeks to bridge the long-standing gap between academia and industry by commercialising research, nurturing entrepreneurship, and advancing innovation within key national sectors.
UNZA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mundia Muya, said the partnership demonstrates the University’s commitment to producing practical, home-grown solutions.
“Our students and researchers generate valuable knowledge. This partnership ensures these ideas do not remain in academic documents but evolve into innovations that address real challenges,” he said.
BongoHive Co-founder and Executive Director, Lukonga Lindunda, said the agreement will unlock opportunities for young innovators and researchers by connecting talent with industry needs and investment.
“By combining UNZA’s academic strength with BongoHive’s experience in building start-ups, we are creating a clear route from classroom to company, from research to industry,” he said.
Under the MoU, both institutions will work together to:
- Support student and faculty innovation through incubation, mentorship, entrepreneurship training and industry exposure;
- Grow joint programmes such as the UNZA Innovation Challenge and the development of the UNIPod AI Hub;
- Facilitate collaborative research, innovation projects and grant applications;
- Establish pathways to commercialise research and intellectual property while preserving institutional autonomy.
The agreement was signed and witnessed by university leadership, BongoHive representatives, students, and development partners. It marks a significant step in strengthening Zambia’s innovation ecosystem and ensuring academic ideas translate into national development.
