Emerging both as a result of the global resource squeeze and recent bio-science achievements, Knowledge Based Bio-economy is increasingly seen as an opportunity for sustainable economic growth based on renewable resources. Bio-economy is a way to move away from the fossil fuel based economy, revitalize rural development and promote circular economy.
Needless to say that development of knowledge based bio-economy unveils vast opportunities for the countries of the South, including countries of the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, it also conceals a number of challenges, particularly in terms of creating value for smallholder farmers and transforming institutional systems. Even though much of the incentive to deal with the challenges and opportunities of a new bio-economy has to come from the African countries themselves, there is a clear need for assistance from more experienced countries, not least Sweden.
Bio-economy Expert Group was formed was formed under the Swedish International Agriculture Initiative (SIANI) in August 2014. The main objective of this expert group is to explore how Sweden can help countries in Sub-Saharan African to develop modern, knowledge-based biobased economies for sustainable development.
The workshop seeks to gather input for the comprehensive report and publication on “Moving Africa Towards a Knowledge Based Bio-economy: Engaging the Swedish Resource Base” with the aim of stimulating the Swedish resource base to further engage with their African counterparts. Apart from identifying opportunities and actors, the report will list potential collaboration opportunities, strategies for establishing partnerships, examples of activities and modes of collaboration.
The main objectives of the workshop are to present and discuss:
- The Prospects, Issues and Challenges in Developing Knowledge Based Bio-economies
- How could Sweden best support countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in developing knowledge based bioeconomies.
A draft report of the SIANI Bio-economy Expert Group will be circulated to participants prior to the workshop.
Contact Jacqueline Ernerot if you would like to participate.