Kibabii University has earned a spot in the 2026 Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards after being named among the three partnerships competing for the Outstanding KTP Impact Award.
In a statement on October 6, Kibabii University stated that the project was led by Principal Investigator Prof. Joshua Olang’o Abuya, who worked with a multidisciplinary research team comprising Dr. Jonathan Mutonyi, Jane Toroitich and Margaret Wanambisi, alongside the university’s international and industry partners.
Professor Abuya said the recognition showed what international collaboration between universities and industry can achieve.
“Being named a finalist for the Outstanding KTP Impact Award is a tremendous recognition of what can be achieved through purposeful international collaboration between universities and industry,” he said.
He added that the EcoDryer project demonstrated the ability of African universities to develop and scale practical innovations addressing local challenges while contributing to clean energy, climate action and the circular bioeconomy.
Kibabii University EcoDryer Project Gains Recognition at UK Innovation Awards
The recognition follows the completion of the African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) project, titled “Optimizing Sugarcane Supply Chain Through Sustainable Bagasse Dryer Solution in Sugarcane Waste Management.”
The project was funded by Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) at an estimated cost of Ksh45 million.
At the center of the project is the EcoDryer, a mechanized technology developed to address the inefficient and weather-dependent drying of sugarcane bagasse.
Unlike traditional sun-drying methods, the technology improves the efficiency and reliability of bagasse drying for conversion into biomass fuel and other value-added products.
At Kibabii University, the project has recorded increased bagasse-drying capacity, reduced drying costs, improved worker productivity and safety, and reduced dependence on weather conditions.
The innovation also presents opportunities for commercialization, technology transfer and wider adoption in Kenya and other sugar-producing countries.
The project previously received an “Outstanding” grading from Innovate UK following its completion, in recognition of its performance in knowledge transfer, innovation and sustainable impact.
Kibabii University and its partners will compete for the Outstanding KTP Impact Award alongside partnerships involving Ulster University and Axial3D Ltd, and the University of Strathclyde and Test Incorporated Ltd.
The university is part of a partnership with the University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom and Carbon Footprint Ltd Kenya that has been recognized for its work on an innovative solution to improve the drying and use of sugarcane waste.
About the Award
Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards recognize collaborations between businesses and academic institutions that turn research and expertise into innovation, measurable impact and growth.
Running for more than 50 years, the KTP programme has supported more than 14,000 partnerships, according to the awards organizers.
Seven categories feature in the 2026 awards, including the Outstanding KTP Impact Award, for which the Kibabii University partnership has been recognized.
The 2026 Innovate UK KTP Awards will be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, on December 1, 2026.
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