UGBS Empowers Rural Entrepreneurs as Phase Two of BRIING Project Concludes

Story: Abdulai SAAKA, Accra

The University of Ghana Business School’s (UGBS) Innovation and Incubation Hub—NEST has successfully transformed the economic landscape of several rural communities through agribusiness and food processing, following the conclusion of the second phase of the Bridging the Research Innovation-Industry Assimilation Gap through Technology Capacity Building in Rural Ghana (BRIING) Project. The initiative, funded by the RISA Fund, has been instrumental in converting academic research into practical, income-generating ventures for rural entrepreneurs.

Over the past few years, the BRIING Project has facilitated the development of food processing innovations rooted in University of Ghana research, providing rural residents with new job opportunities and equipping them with critical entrepreneurial skills. The initiative has helped bridge the gap between research, innovation, and industry by ensuring that scientific advancements in food processing are directly applied to local businesses.

At the closing ceremony of Phase Two, Manager of the University of Ghana Innovation Hub, Jakson Appiagyei Jnr, emphasized the tangible benefits the project has delivered to rural communities. He noted that entrepreneurs have welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm and expressed a strong desire for more research-driven solutions to enhance their food processing businesses.

“Entrepreneurs have been very excited about this project. They want more research outputs to be translated into their community so that they can enhance their food processes. They also need funding and want us to set up mini factories, which we call maker spaces, for them,” Appiagyei Jnr said.

He further highlighted the project’s success in bringing locally produced goods to market, with some businesses now securing placements in major retail outlets such as Melcom and smaller community shops. Additionally, some entrepreneurs are looking to expand their reach beyond Ghana’s borders through export opportunities. According to Appiagyei Jnr, the project has provided much-needed employment and financial stability for rural entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to Ghana’s broader economic growth.

Encouragingly, the initiative has also attracted investors who are willing to support these rural food innovators by guiding them through the production value chain and assisting in establishing maker spaces. However, Appiagyei Jnr called for additional stakeholders to join in scaling up these ventures through increased investment and technical support.

Also speaking at the event, Technical Lead for RISA Fund Ghana, Gameli Adzaho, reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to supporting the next phase of the project. He emphasized the importance of sustaining such initiatives to ensure long-term impact and economic empowerment for rural entrepreneurs. As UGBS looks ahead to future phases of the BRIING Project, there is optimism that more rural businesses will benefit from research-driven innovation, further strengthening Ghana’s agribusiness sector and driving sustainable economic development.