The pillar structure of the BioInnovation Academy ⎮ Visual:©️ ABF/GIZ

Why the BioInnovation Academy exists

Sustainable biotrade and biodiversity-based value chains require more than policy commitments and project funding. They depend on practical skills, applied knowledge, and the ability of different actors to translate biodiversity objectives into economic, social, and governance practices.

The BioInnovation Academy was developed under the BioInnovation Africa project to address these capacity-building needs. It is designed to strengthen knowledge and skills related to biodiversity-based economic development across multiple African countries, building on concrete field experience and existing policy frameworks.

What the BioInnovation Academy is

The BioInnovation Academy is a comprehensive training package targeting practitioners, trainers, institutions, and professionals working in biodiversity-based value chains. Its objective is to support sustainable practices that link environmental management with economic and social development.

The Academy draws on several years of implementation experience in Cameroon, Madagascar, Namibia, and South Africa. Its content is aligned with international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as with national policy contexts.

Logos of the institutions

How the training is structured

The training content of the BioInnovation Academy follows a clearly defined structure. It is organized around three pillars:

• Environment

• Economics, Business and Governance

• Social Aspects

These pillars are translated into six thematic modules and a total of 26 learning units. The Academy is delivered through a blended-learning approach that combines in-person workshops with online learning via the atingi platform.

Supporting materials include technical manuals, methodological guidelines, handouts, exercises, and ready-to-deliver training packages for facilitators.

Images: Participants of the training of trainers in Cameroon.

What has been implemented so far

To date, more than 100 trainers from the private sector, civil society, academia, and government institutions have been trained through the BioInnovation Academy. These trainers have already reached more than 300 learners.

The number of beneficiaries is expected to increase to 500 by the end of the project in April 2026. In parallel, processes are underway to integrate the Academy’s modules into university mini-courses, professional training programmes, and capacity-building activities for communities and other stakeholder groups.

How the Academy is being scaled

The scaling up of the BioInnovation Academy is being carried out in collaboration with national and pan-regional institutions. Current partners include the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which serves as the southern Africa technical support centre for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Beyond formal partnerships, the Academy aims to consolidate a network of trainers across countries. This network is intended to foster ongoing exchange, joint learning, and innovation in training delivery related to sustainable biotrade.

How to access the BioInnovation Academy

Since October 2025, the BioInnovation Academy has been available online and offline via the atingi platform. The digital platform allows stakeholders to complete certified training courses, access learning materials, and download tools to conduct their own training activities.

The Academy is accessible in both English and French.

Key facts at a glance:

• 3 pillars, 6 modules, 26 learning units

• Online and offline training formats

• 100+ trainers trained, 300+ learners reached

• Available in English and French

Those interested in the development and implementation of the BioInnovation Academy, as well as trainers’ perspectives, can view the Academy’s launch event on YouTube.

Contact

Interested? To learn more about the development and implementation of the BioInnovation Academy and listen to the perspectives of the trainers, we invite you to have a look at the launch event on YouTube: Launch Event BioInnovation Academy – YouTube

For more information, please katrin.munch@giz.de