Research Projects and Innovative Business
enable | digital
enable|digital developed IT solutions for fast growing companies in emerging markets. They also provided IT advisory and implementation services to companies that provide essential products and services to their customers. enable|digital has enabled…
Edge Effects of Anthropogenic Barriers on Protected Mammal Ecosystems
Comparative Risk Assessment of Physical and Metaphorical Fences to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict PhD Project, Zoology Dep. Environmental Sciences at University of Basel in Cooperation with the Animal Demography Unit at University of Cape Town UCT…
Scientific Drilling at Lake Tanganyika, Africa: A Transformative Record for Understanding Evolution in Isolation and the Historical Biology of the African Continent
In collaboration with a large interdisciplinary team of international scientists including African collaborators, we propose to tap this unique historical record to understand how the ecosystems of both Lake Tanganyika and its surrounding watershed h…
Cocoa agroforestry in Ghana
Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in the world, with livelihoods of approximately 800’000 farmer families partly depending on the crop. However, the sustainability of the cocoa production systems is challenged, mainly be…
Genomic tools to study the diversity of African cichlid fishes
“I propose to organize a joint kick-starting workshop in Basel, aiming at bringing together our African partners with local scientists and students. The research of my group focuses on two enigmatic species assemblages of cichlid fishes, the exceptio…
Solar drying technology for lumber and food items in Ghana
The overall project is a contribution to the development of Cleaner Production Technologies in developing countries. The main aim is to create access to environmentally friendly, simple to handle, solar powered technology for drying food and material…
Urban food systems and rural relations
The aim of the proposed activities is to build up strong research links through the development of an innovative multi-disciplinary research approach on urban-rural/regional food systems in Kenya. Furthermore, through the development of common field…
Transdisciplinary systems research to reduce cocoa swollen shoot virus disease in Ghana (TransdisCSSVD)
Ghana is among the world’s top producers of cocoa (The obroma cacao), with livelihoods of 800’000 farm families’ depending on the crop. The Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) is one of the major factors limiting cocoa productivity, and the onl…
Assessment of food system resilience: the case of cocoa in Ghana
This research has the objective to assess the resilience of the cocoa value chain in Ghana. The cocoa value chain (production, processing, retailing and consumption) in Ghana is susceptible to various types of shocks (natural hazards, socio-political…
bioinformatics@makerere
Here we propose bioinformatics@makerere, a hands-on bioinformatics course at Makerere University of Kampala, Uganda. The course comprises lectures in the morning and computer practicals in the afternoon. It’s a four-day course targeted at 16 particip…
SkyIsland Biodiversity Network: Biodiversity discovery through data capture and processing
Implementation of data management system for collecting, processing, analysing and promoting biodiversity data for the poorly known Mozambican region. This complements established projects in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania a…
Cocoaagroforestry in Ghana
Even though world-wide demand for cocoa is increasing, cocoa producing regions are suffering from declining yields because of declining soil fertility, climate change, and disease, which significantly threatens cocoa supply chains. Agroforestry has b…
Developing joint research proposals in media & communication in various topics, e.g. “effectiveness of farmer communication”
“The Sabbatical of Christoph Spurk is used to develop various research proposals jointly with Kenyan researchers (Prof. Wambui Kiai and Dr. George Nyabuga) and make them ready for submission to donors. The idea is also to establish research cooperati…
Information for international PhD Candidates
Doctoral Studies Before you begin the online application, please note the following: Degree programs An overview of the doctoral studies offered by the various faculties can be found in the information sheet: Doctoral studies issued by the specific f…
South African Cropland Dust Emission Risks: Physical Thresholds, Environmental and Socio-Economic Patterns
Dust emission is a growing issue affecting soil mass losses, ecosystem services, public health, and climate change. Understanding dust emission dynamics originating from farming in drylands is crucial not only to prepare and respond to the aforementi…
Developing an Online Teaching Course on Urban Food Systems
Dr. Lena Bloemertz, Physical Geography and Environmental Change, University of Basel, Switzerland Dr. Alex Awiti, Vice Provost East Africa and Interim Dean of The Graduate School of Media and Communications, Aga Khan University, Nairobi The aim of th…
Thekga Movement (Pty ) Ltd
Thekga Movement is a South African collective dedicated to creating eco-friendly products using alien invasive plant fibers, primarily water hyacinth. Inspired by nature and committed to community development, their hand-woven crafts are made by tal…
FMSI
FMSI is an active participant in the Blue Bioeconomy Pact, a national initiative aimed at reindustrializing Portuguese industries through the integration of Blue Biotech Solutions. Our mission is to empower small and large companies to adopt innovati…
Farateq (Pty) Ltd
Farateq is developing a renewable electricity generation technology. Jan Jooste participated in the program 2016.
Cape Town Mead Company
The Cape Town Mead Company rediscovers the world’s oldest fermented beverage at The Cape Town Meadery, blending ancient African traditions with contemporary twists to breathe new life into mead. Inspired by Africa’s vibrant landscapes and deep-rooted…
Township Cannabis Incubator
Township Cannabis Incubator (TCI), established in 2023 and funded by the Department of Small Business Development through SEDA, supports Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) focusing on medicinal cannabis products, cosmetics, and biomaterials…
Right Lamp Shine Group Ltd
Right Lamp Shine Group (RLSG Ltd) is a university startup based in Rwanda that focuses on innovations in renewable energy. The company has developed a patented automatic changeover switch that prioritizes solar energy while using other sources as bac…
AgriViro
AgriViro pioneers biopesticide development, specializing in bacteria- and virus-based solutions. With expertise in novel active ingredients, unique formulations, and advanced manufacturing, AgriViro offers an effective portfolio targeting a wide rang…
chiweto
chiweto helps farmers to have better farming practices through inclusive and innovative e-extension and digital livestock insurance solutions for profitable farming while supporting development partners data needs. Chiweto services facilitate deliver…
C2LS Business Consulting
C2LS Consulting specializes in sustainable business strategy, leadership, business model innovation and executive coaching. We provide comprehensive solutions to help organizations thrive in today’s dynamic and interconnected business landscape. With…
BioPher
BioPher (Pty) Ltd was established in 2008 to market and distribute AnnGro®, a product based on the Pheroid® Platform Technology (patented by the North West University), which has the ability to improve the uptake of inorganic fertilizer by plants. I…
Probipher
Probipher is a South African biotech company focused on the research and development of microbial additives for the agricultural industry. Committed to advancing sustainable agriculture, Probipher leverages the power of microorganisms to create innov…
Ceiling in a can
Ceiling in a Can is a patented, low-cost, DIY insulating ceiling solution designed for small houses and shacks. The product is easy to transport, manufactured on-site by local entrepreneurs, and costs half the price of competing products. It provides…
TokaBio
TokaBio has two divisions; Animal Health Group that is interested in developing diagnostics products to facilitate export of livestock. Furthermore, TokaBio offers laboratory routine diagnosis of animal diseases and training for Animal Health. The hu…
LolaGreen
Lola Green, a Cape Town based startup, converts waste products into sustainable construction materials. They use plastic waste, solid industrial waste and additives to synthesize construction products. They are currently piloting bricks, which are mo…
Algaeholix (Pty) Ltd
Algaeholix manufactures microalgae biomass and extract astaxanthin and beta-carotene from different species and supply these as antioxidants. Algaeholix also cultivates Chlorella species as a purified plant-based protein product. Algaeholix aim to co…
TY-DAMI ENERGY RESOURCES
TY-DAMI ENERGY RESOURCES is a Climate Tech startup revolutionizing refrigeration with innovative carbon capture technology. They develop refrigerators that provide up to 7 days of cooling without batteries, using captured CO2 as a refrigerant. Additi…
Evet Africa
Evet Africa offers an AI-powered diagnostic app that detects livestock diseases using images and historical data, providing real-time treatment recommendations to farmers and veterinarians. In regions with severe veterinary shortages, such as Nigeria…
Loopa Ltd
Loopa is a pioneering climate tech startup dedicated to creating a cleaner and smarter Africa. Founded in 2023 through the Jasiri Talent Investor Program in Kigali, Rwanda, they leverage IoT technology to optimize the conversion of food waste and agr…
Urobo Biotech
Urobo Biotech is a sustainability-oriented company that is focused on providing innovative solutions to the rise in bioplastic waste. Their technologies enable waste management companies to produce valuable fuels and chemicals from bioplastic waste e…
Agri-Extracts
Agri-Extracts is a startup manufacturing company based at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. They are part of an applied research institute called Innoventon. Driven by a passion for the environment and natural solutions, they…
Neo Grow
Neo Grow is an innovative company transforming the waste management and recycling industry with proprietary software designed for both customers and businesses. Our data-driven, on-demand recyclable waste management service optimizes waste collection…
Kusini Water
Kusini Water is a social enterprise dedicated to providing clean and safe drinking water across Africa. Founded in 2016, the company utilizes nanotechnology and locally sourced macadamia nut shells to build innovative water treatment systems. These m…
AET AFRICA
AET AFRICA is a Cleantech Innovation company dedicated to enhancing energy efficiency in water heating and promoting a circular economy. They focus on innovative retrofit solutions for water heating and cooling systems, serving both commercial and re…
Balancell
Balancell is an innovative technology company specializing in ‘smart’ batteries that manage and protect themselves while providing remote usage and condition reports. With over two decades of development, Balancell is set to enhance renewable energy…
MABU Casing Soils / MABU SUBSTRATES (Pty) Ltd
MABU Casing Soils specializes in eco-friendly mushroom casing soil made from sugarcane pith, a byproduct of SAPPI’s bagasse paper-making process in KwaDukuza, KZN. This 100% natural substrate, patented in South Africa and several other countries, off…
PowerOptimal
PowerOptimal, founded in 2014, is a leader in sustainable, smart energy solutions, specializing in hot water. Their South African technology platform has over 10 years of successful installations. Their engineers, with over 60 years of combined exper…
Khepri Biosciences
Khepri Biosciences, established in 2012, is an award-winning bioconversion company based in South Africa. They were born out of the need to address the environmental effects of eutrophication of river systems caused by agricultural runoff. This pollu…
CSR-AFRICA
CSR-AFRICA is dedicated to delivering high-quality news, information, and education on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from Africa. Their aim is to be the definitive reference on CSR across the continent. They value reader satisfaction, origina…
Azimuth
Azimuth uses satellite data for surface monitoring. It is a system used to monitor small-scale movements of the Earth’s surface through satellite imaging technology. It provides early warning of surface instabilities, thereby minimising human health…
BioDx
Biodx is a South African R&D company pioneering sustainable antimicrobial technologies using natural citrus extracts. Our products offer non-corrosive, biodegradable solutions with a 99.9% bacteria kill rate, free from chlorine, alcohol, or forma…
Agreenco
Agreenco provides innovative mine rehabilitation and environmental improvement services, transforming environmental liabilities into assets for the benefit of all stakeholders. We specialize in mine rehabilitation, tailings challenges, dust control,…
AgroSustain
AgroSustain offers a one-stop-shop solution for biological plant protection, aiming to reduce food waste and support organic food production with farm-to-fork solutions like biological fungicides and coatings. They have developed a range of plant-der…
FenX
FenX addresses the gap in the expanding market for thermal and acoustic insulation materials with our innovative porous inorganic bricks and panels made from waste materials. These products boast unparalleled insulation capabilities and an exceptiona…
Gilytics
Gilytics help energy and engineering companies find optimal routes for powerlines and other linear infrastructure in seconds, saving time and money with better data and visuals. Their vision is to set the global standard for linear infrastructure pla…
MeduSoil
MeduSoil Ltd, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Vaud, Switzerland, was established in 2020. Specializing in bio-minerals, MeduSoil manufactures and commercializes mineral binding agents for earthworks, special founda…
Oxara
The construction industry faces challenges like resource scarcity, especially sand, high CO2 emissions from cement production, and increasing demand for affordable housing. Billions of tons of excavation materials are landfilled annually, occupying s…
Thinkmilk
Thinkmilk is an innovative, low-cost milking process using sensors to bring traceability to the dairy industry. It qualifies milk in real time based on yield, somatic cell count, and antibiotics, detecting diseases during milking to prevent epidemics…
Alver Golden Chlorella SA
Alver appeals to all who are committed to responsible consumption. Our diverse product range, from high protein pasta, to protein powders and food supplements, all contain Golden Chlorella microalgae and are free from additives. Our goal is to improv…
Caulys
Caulys Farms offers intelligent vertical vegetable gardens designed to grow fresh, high-quality produce year-round directly on-site, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Caulys Pro provides a simple solution for large-scale production within esta…
Droople
Droople is a B2B Swiss cleantech building the Water Intelligence Platform to the World. We accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices, promote the integration of water conservation systems, and educate the value of this essential resource with…
mfarmPay
mfarmPay leverages farm parcels, climate metrics, and satellite imagery to de-risk and enable financing for low-resourced smallholder farmers across Africa. Their streamlined digital finance platform combines data and resources to offer efficient fin…
M-Shamba
M-shamba digital platform supports digital learning on agronomy, regenerative agriculture and food safety to the farmers through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service, USSD and interactive SMS. The platform uses data to match demand from the m…
hiLyte
hiLyte provide clean and affordable lighting and phone-charging services to their end-customers in rural communities. They do this by working with agents on the ground who are commonly shopkeepers. Solar panels, hiLyte charging boxes, and hiLyte cube…
xFarm
xFarm Technologies is a tech company focused on the digitisation of the agri-food sector, providing innovative tools that can support farmers and stakeholders in the management of their businesses. It offers apps for farm management, connected sensor…
ETrash2Cash
About Us eTrash2Cash (eT2C Company Nigeria) is the first of its kind social enterprise in northern Nigeria, which embodies the use of technology to solve environmental problems in the low-income communities. Its web, mobile app and SMS platform helps…
MPower Ventures
MPower is a climate and fintech start-up that revolutionizes energy access by providing small and medium-scale solar energy infrastructure in developing countries. Using a B2B model that combines hardware, software, and financing solutions, we transf…
Synature
Synature is a Swiss based startup with the goal of reducing conflicts between animals and humans. Our team is developing an acoustic monitoring technology capable of mapping the location and health of biodiversity without interfering with the ecosyst…
Gaia Tech AG
Gaia Tech, an emerging ETH Spin-off company resulting from the research project ‘Phenoliva,’ financed by EIT Food and hosted at ETH Zurich, specializes in decentralized treatment and valorization of agricultural side-streams. Leveraging proprietary e…
SWOXID
SWOXID, revolutionizing water and air purification, specializes in a light-sterilizable nanoporous filter technology. Utilizing an innovative aerogel composite filter activated by solar irradiation, it effectively eliminates biological contaminants i…
AgFlow
AgFlow, headquartered in Geneva, at the heart of the commodities industry, is a leading agribusiness market intelligence provider. The company’s comprehensive price discovery, supply & demand, and freight features offer smart and actionable insig…
Evodrop AG
Evodrop AG from Zurich specializes in delivering water solutions that address a wide range of concerns, ensuring access to clean, healthy water for individuals, animals, and plants. The innovations cover diverse settings, including homes, workplaces,…
Igugu Clean Tech
Igugu Clean Tech is a South African startup company that aims to produce biodiesel from nicotine-free tobacco plants for a cleaner, more environmentally friendly option than traditional diesel. The founder is Ms Zinhle Ngidi. Winner of the AIT-SASBI…
Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd.
DNA Synthesis and Sequencing African high-tech helps shaping life science, health, food and agriculture in Africa Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd. was founded in 2001 by Swiss and German molecular biologists and has its headquarters in Preto…
Rwanda Green Lighting
Rwanda Green Lighting, a startup from Rwanda, harnesses airborne electrical energy to power street lights and areas still off the grid in Rwanda. The Chief Executive Officer is Ms Diane Mumararungu. Winner of the AIT-SASBI Spring Conference 2023 and…
IcanFarm – Kilimo ni Mali
The Problem: Access to affordable credit Over 90% of the sub-Saharan Africa’s 48 million smallholder farmers lack access to formal credit. Less than 6% of commercial loan recipients are smallholder farmers. Source: FAQ In Kenya, only about 10% of sma…
Soso Care: My Healthcare and I
About Soso Care: is a social enterprise that aims to use garbage as a financial resource to enable millions of uninsured slum dwellers especially pregnant women and kids to access micro health insurance as well as micro capital for petty trade. Our P…
Pennysmart – Next generation bank for African millennials.
One Line Pitch: Next generation bank for African millennials. Business Summary: Pennysmart is the next generation digital bank that helps Ghanaians save anytime, anywhere with no cost. We are a Tier-4 Operator under Bank of Ghana rules and regulation…
DIY Solar Lamps
Problem Currently, 44% of the over 100 million Ethiopian people have access to electricity while 56% of them risk their health by using traditional energy sources. Studies conducted by the World Bank shows that electrification is directly related to…
MPOWER VENTURES – eMPowering local entrepreneurs as the major driving force of solar energy in emerging markets
MPower is a tech4impact venture tackling the challenges of energy access and financial inclusion in emerging markets. As local SMEs are key to the socioeconomical development of these countries, MPower creates a B2B platform to empower the next gener…
Enable | Digital
Problem Enable has identified a significant problem in a highly underserved market: IT solutions for impact ventures in emerging markets. In order to access the market, Enable has developed both a set of innovative technologies as well as a solid pr…
CommoChain
CommoChain is a web-based solution that allows Coffee Exporters to better track their samples and manage exporting documents. It delivers efficiency & traceability benefits to ultimately provide best coffee to clients. Pains for Coffee Exporters…