Scientific Research for Sustainable Applications: What Interaction with Entrepreneurship?

For decades, scientific research in Africa has achieved remarkable theoretical and experimental progresses. However, the persistent challenge remains the transformation of these discoveries into concrete solutions, viable enterprises, and economic opportunities that directly impact the daily lives of the people.

The theme “Scientific Research for Sustainable Applications: What Interaction with Entrepreneurship?” lies at the heart of this challenge. It is about bridging the gap between the laboratory and the market, between the researcher and the industrialist, between innovation and value creation. This colloquium aims to serve as a platform for dialogue to:

• Stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit among scientists and young researchers.
• Identify the technological barriers that entrepreneurship can help to overcome.
• Create sustainable synergies between academia and the ecosystem of startups and industry.
• Demonstrate how scientific entrepreneurship is a powerful lever for sustainable and inclusive development in Africa.

The ultimate goal is to foster a new generation of scientist-entrepreneurs capable of transforming innovations from physics and other sciences into commercial products, thereby creating wealth, generating employment, and addressing the pressing challenges of our continent.

Proposed Sub-Themes

1. From Research to Market: Valorization Models for Technology Transfer

• How to protect and commercialize intellectual property?

• Support structures: incubators, innovation hubs, and technology parks.

• Success stories of startups emerging from scientific research.

2. Sustainable Energy and Social Entrepreneurship

• Business models for solar, wind, and bioenergy at the local scale.

• Innovations in energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors) and related business opportunities.

• Startups focused on energy efficiency and management for SMEs and households.

3. Materials Science and Industrial Spin-offs

• Entrepreneurship in nanomaterials, composites, and advanced coatings for industrial applications.

• Valorization of local mineral resources through high-tech transformation processes.

• Development of biodegradable materials and the business of the circular economy.

4. Physics and Technology for Agro-Industry

• Smart sensors, drones, and IoT for precision agriculture: what are the viable business models?

• Startups in food processing, preservation, and value addition.

• Applications of nanotechnologies in agri-food systems: from innovation to entrepreneurship.

5. Biotechnology: Innovating for Health

• Entrepreneurial development in low-cost medical devices and biomaterials.

• Opportunities for startups in targeted drug delivery and diagnostics.

6. Environment and Eco-Innovation: A Fertile Ground for Entrepreneurs

• Startups specializing in waste management, recycling, and pollution control.

• Business opportunities in combating desertification and managing water resources.

• Economic models for green technologies.

7. Financing Innovation: How to Raise Funds?

• Overview of funding sources (venture capital, business angels, grants).

• Preparing an effective pitch to convince investors.

LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE

*Female Member

Date:                   July 06 - 10, 2026

Venue: Université des Sciences, des Techniques et Technologies de Bamako (USTTB)

Chief Host:         Le Recteur, Professeur Mahamadou DIAKITE , USTTB, Bamako, MALI.

Host:                   Directeur, Professeur Brahima TRAORE, Institut des Sciences Appliquées, Bamako, MALI.

List of Speakers

• Prof. Diola Bagayoko, PhD, Southern University System Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics, Director Emeritus, the Timbuktu Academy, Louisiana, USA
• Idris Ayodeji Bello (The Afropreneur), Founding Partner LoftyInc Capital Management
• Prof. Mahamadou DIAKITE, Vice-Chancellor of USTTB, BAMAKO, MALI
• Prof. ZOUEU, Vice-Président of University of San Pedro, San Pedro, Ivory-Coast
• Prof. Brahima TRAORE, Director of Institut des Sciences Appliquées, Bamako, MALI

Importantes Dates:

Submission opening date:............................................... 01/12/2025

Abstract submission deadline: .........................................31/05/2026

Full Paper submission deadline:.......................................31/08/2026

Registration deadline:

For Paper Presentation:..............................30/04/2026

Without Paper Presentation:.......................31/05/2026

Abstract submiussion guidlines:

Corresponding e-mail:  ascin2026conference@gmail.com