Over the past three months, HapaSpace Innovation Hub, in partnership with the Association of African Universities (AAU), successfully led the Ghana Soft-Landing Programme under the SEADE Project (Strengthening the Europe–Africa Digital Ecosystem).
Funded by the European Commission through Horizon Europe, the programme connected innovators and researchers from Africa and Europe with Ghanaian partners for mentorship, knowledge exchange, and real-world market insights.
Why Soft-Landing?
The Soft-Landing Programme is central to SEADE’s mission to bridge the gap between research and market adoption. It provides innovators with structured support as they enter new markets offering access to networks, expert guidance, and practical knowledge of local opportunities and challenges. For Ghana, it was also a chance to showcase its vibrant innovation ecosystem while strengthening ties with Europe and other African countries.
The Journey
Over three months, 12 innovators (“soft-landers”) from diverse fields including agroecology, entrepreneurship, recycling, agriculture, and food & beverage, took part. Each participant was matched with a Ghanaian partner or mentor for tailored guidance.
Programme activities included:
- Weekly virtual mentoring sessions.
- Knowledge-sharing across borders.
- Opportunities for potential in-person visits to Ghana.
Participant Highlights
| Participant | Country | Focus Area | Key Outcome |
| Kefale | Ethiopia | Agroecology (PhD research) | Connected with GROW West Africa, enriched his PhD direction with practical insights |
| Patricia | Malawi | Hibiscus wine production | Learned fermentation and branding, boosted confidence and market readiness |
| Auindrilla | India/Iceland | Sustainable business models & digital entrepreneurship | Built networks with Ghanaian experts, gained cross-cultural innovation insights |
The Role of Partners
The programme’s success depended on Ghanaian partners who generously shared expertise. From agroecological farmers and biochar innovators to leaders in the food and beverage industry, their mentorship helped refine research directions, business models, and entrepreneurial strategies.
Thanks to AAU’s academic networks and HapaSpace’s connections with entrepreneurs and hubs, soft-landers benefited from both policy-level perspectives and grassroots innovation experiences.
Impact and Lessons
The 12 participants left the programme with:
- New professional networks in Ghana and beyond.
- Deeper understanding of local market realities.
- Renewed confidence in their projects.
- Inspiration to pursue cross-border collaboration.
For Ghanaian partners, it was an opportunity to engage directly with innovators across Africa, Asia, and Europe, exchanging knowledge and exploring future collaborations.
The programme also revealed important lessons: the need for flexibility, structured communication, and the power of small but meaningful interventions to create lasting impact.
Looking Ahead
As the Ghana Soft-Landing Programme closes, we celebrate not only the achievements of the 12 innovators but also the spirit of collaboration that defines SEADE.
This initiative has laid the groundwork for stronger Africa–Europe partnerships and created opportunities for scaling ideas and research across borders.
At HapaSpace and AAU, we remain committed to building inclusive, human-centred innovation ecosystems that empower entrepreneurs, researchers, and youth to thrive.