Accra: The African Student Commercialization, Enterprise and Network Development (ASCEND), a British Council-backed programme, is empowering students in Ghana and Nigeria to transform research ideas into market-ready products and services. The ASCEND programme equips students with the skills, mentorship, and industry exposure needed to move innovative ideas from conception to commercialization while creating pathways for job creation across the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Aliyu Aliyu, an Associate Professor and lead for ASCEND, highlighted the programme's focus on helping students validate their ideas before entering the market. Speaking at a pitching event at the British Council office in Accra, Dr. Aliyu emphasized the importance of evidence in showing that an innovation has a viable market. He explained that ASCEND provides participants with mentorship, business development tools, and access to experienced entrepreneurs who guide them through the commercialization process.
Dr. Aliyu further elaborated on how ASCEND ensures that promising university research does not remain confined to academic institutions. He noted that the programme gathers knowledge from those who have previously navigated the commercialization journey, helping to de-risk the market entry process. Dr. Aliyu also mentioned that the programme is redefining university administration through technology, using purpose-built AI workspaces to reduce paper waste and enhance transparency in institutional environmental footprints.
Mr. Etom Ofem, Regional Higher Education Research, Evaluation and Insights Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at the British Council, stated that ASCEND emerged from innovation grants issued to universities and partners in the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative addresses shared higher education challenges by fostering an ecosystem of innovation. Ofem remarked that the programme marks a shift from strengthening institutional systems to directly supporting students in developing commercially viable solutions.
Ofem explained that the programme emphasizes design-thinking approaches, mentorship, and market access opportunities, encouraging participants to test and refine their ideas before seeking investment. He noted that a pitching exercise was held where students had the opportunity to access funding, a critical element of commercializing research and innovation. Ofem underscored the evolving role of African universities as engines of innovation and problem-solving, with the British Council acting as an enabler by providing grants and fostering partnerships between African and UK institutions.
One participant, Glory Monday Esene from Bayero University Kano in Nigeria, shared her excitement about the opportunities provided by the programme. She acknowledged that the mentorship and training received had broadened her perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling her to develop ideas that create value for communities.
The ASCEND programme is part of the British Council's broader effort to strengthen innovation ecosystems and promote collaboration between African and UK higher education institutions, supporting young entrepreneurs in developing solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.