At the Tech in Ghana: Royal Edition in Kumasi, a practical workshop under the SEADE Project brought researchers, innovators, and ecosystem actors together to unpack one critical question: how do promising ideas move from the lab into the real world?
The session was facilitated by Gideon Brefo, CEO of Hapa Space, alongside Agyemang Okyere Darko, Programmes Officer for Research & Programmes at the Association of African Universities, and focused on the realities innovators face when building technology-driven solutions in the African context.
Using the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework, participants were guided to honestly assess where their innovations sit — from early ideas to deployable products. The discussion highlighted that moving through these stages is rarely linear and often requires iteration, feedback, partnerships, and patience. A recurring theme was the “valley of death” — the stage where funding is scarce, risks are high, and many innovations fail to progress.
Beyond technology, the workshop addressed issues of trust, intellectual property, team composition, and the importance of engaging the right partners early. Participants were encouraged to see commercialisation as a structured journey rather than a last-minute step.
The session also introduced how platforms like ENRICH in Africa support this journey by connecting researchers to markets, investors, collaborators, and practical guidance across Africa and Europe.
The workshop reflected a growing readiness within Kumasi’s innovation ecosystem to move ideas beyond research and into impact.