SLU news

SLU represented at business forum for entrepreneurs in Sweden and East Africa

Published: 24 May 2023

SWEACC-BIF 2023, is a forum that brings together entrepreneurs and investors from Sweden, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda for a one-day conference. This year's event, held in the city of Uppsala, Sweden, focused on sustainable business, agri-business, and investment and finance solutions that prioritise sustainability.

The conference was attended by distinguished guests, including ministers of trade and ambassadors from East Africa, who joined delegations of business people and stakeholders to explore the latest trends and opportunities in sustainable business and investment.

One of the highlights of the conference was the discussion on "Academic Projects and Joint Venture Opportunities," featuring two SLU speakers, Professor Erik Bongcam-Rudloff and PhD student Olive Tuyishime.

Professor Bongcam-Rudloff shared insights on the latest advancements and developments in biotechnology, particularly in the fields of bioinformatics and precise agriculture. He highlighted two exciting projects coordinated by SLU: Epicass, which identifies epigenetic variations influencing viral resistance and yield in cassava farmers' fields, and GigaCow, a platform for data collection that facilitates exchange between researchers and farmers in precision dairy farming using genomic breeding and production optimization.

Olive Tuyishime, on the other hand, presented new opportunities in her area of investigation: different irrigation and drainage strategies to manage soil salinity and nitrogen losses in rice. These strategies can significantly benefit the East African region and improve agricultural productivity.

SWEACC-BIF 2023 was an enriching and informative event that brought together stakeholders from different regions to explore sustainable business and investment opportunities.

Text by Erik Bongcam-Rudloff