This article describes and analyzes an innovation model in which universities are key actors. We applied a case study design in which interviews with farmers in Maputo's small-scale irrigation schemes were used to investigate an innovation project implemented by Eduardo Mondlane University's (UEM) Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering in collaboration with Mozambique's National Institute of Irrigation (INIR). Small-scale irrigation systems discussed in this paper have benefited from innovations such as soil moisture and nutrient monitoring tools, as well as agricultural innovation platforms (AIPs). The innovation project assisting farmers in small-scale irrigation schemes includes both technology transfer and social innovation. It is an example of user-driven innovation, particularly in the early stages of innovation. The challenges identified by the farmers, on the other hand, highlight the extent to which the project still needs to engage all stakeholders to make AIPs more relevant.

Universities in Africa face a plethora of challenges. A great challenge in a knowledge-driven economy is the pressure to claim relevance. This includes a wide range of issues concerning universities' traditional roles and functions, such as teaching, research, and outreach, as well as their ability to address innovation in policy and practice. This article analyzes how African universities have coped with policy innovation, with a focus on Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) in Mozambique. The goal is to assess how UEM, a teaching-focused university for over thirty years, has begun to develop its innovation policy. Several authors argue that universities must contribute to innovation and development in Africa. University innovation policies are one of the aspects that influence innovation activities. A historical analysis of the Eduardo Mondlane University’s innovation policy and strategic plans has shown that the university has strived to embrace not only traditional teaching and learning that has been its fundamental purpose, but also research, extension, and innovation.

The paper analyzes how African universities have engaged with innovation policy, with a focus on University of Nairobi in Kenya. The goal is to assess why and how UoN has developed its innovation policy. University innovation policies are one of the building blocks that influence and guide innovation activities. African universities face challenges such as a general lack of resources, limited autonomy with regard to multiple funders’ demands, a scarcity of external market actors for collaboration, and the limited capacities in local or domestic markets to  favour research commercialization. The paper asks how the University of Nairobi is tackling issues like these through its intellectual property policy? This historical analysis of its innovation policy and strategic plans shows that the university has strived to embrace not only traditional teaching and learning as its fundamental purpose, but also innovation and research commercialization.