WDI is partnering with Villgro Africa and Haskè Ventures to scale an R&D Voucher Model — an innovative mechanism that expands small- and medium-sized business access to Business-led research and development resources. The project is funded by the International Development Research Centre.
R&D impact vouchers connect small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) with public research organizations through affiliated researchers, enabling businesses that might otherwise lack resources to access cutting-edge scientific expertise while providing African researchers with access to SMEs that they normally would not be exposed to. By scaling the model, the partnership seeks to foster lasting research-industry collaboration, enhance SME innovation capacity, and generate evidence on how R&D impact vouchers can serve as a driver of inclusive economic growth across Africa.
The initiative includes a deliberate focus on underserved sectors, regions, and demographics, particularly women- and youth-led enterprises. As a scaling and learning partner, WDI will help support the consortium in building and broadening the adoption of the R&D Impact voucher model across seven countries: Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Senegal.
For this work, WDI will lead the design of an impact assessment framework and associated data collection tools. The WDI team will also facilitate a cross-regional Community of Practice, bringing together SMEs, researchers, and other stakeholders across East, West, and Southern Africa to share insights and strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
“When people communicate and learn together, they solve common challenges more effectively and our goal is to institutionalize these relationships beyond the life of the project so they continue to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems over time,” said Heather Esper, Director of WDI’s Impact Monitoring and Management team. “By creating a practitioner-driven platform grounded in a structured learning agenda, case-based discussions, and peer exchange, we’re enabling peer-to-peer learning and real-time adaptation based on evidence and shared experience,”
Villgro Africa and Haske Ventures match SMEs with principal investigators at public research organizations across Africa to address the R&D needs of the businesses. The R&D Impact vouchers will help SMEs develop or launch a product, service, prototype or business process. Past projects have included conducting new market feasibility analyses, testing the efficacy and acceptability of a product, as well as product design and ideation.
WDI’s Impact Measurement and Management team develops and implements practical tools and methodologies that integrate systems thinking, gender perspectives, and inclusive data approaches to strengthen evidence and decision-making. The community of practice will enable learning in real time by leveraging the impact assessment framework designed by WDI.
Haskè Ventures is an impact investment and advisory firm focused on building resilient, innovative enterprises in emerging markets across Africa. Villgro Africa is a social enterprise incubator and accelerator dedicated to supporting and scaling enterprises that create social impact across the African continent. Both organizations can benefit by supporting innovative SMEs while strengthening the innovation ecosystem they operate within.
“WDI’s leadership in designing an impact assessment framework, robust data collection tools, and a cross-regional Community of Practice will be critical in helping us identify, track, improve, and clearly demonstrate the value and outcomes of the voucher model. This partnership will strengthen how we ultimately showcase impact to funders, policymakers, and the broader innovation ecosystem.” said Rob Beyer, Co-founder & Executive Chairman, Villgro Africa.
Key outputs of the project include an R&D Impact Voucher Toolkit, an SME-Researcher Matchmaking Framework, and an equity-aware impact assessment tool — all designed with gender equality and inclusion embedded throughout. Additional responsibilities include providing technical oversight on monitoring and evaluation processes, delivering targeted training and mentorship to build partner capacity, and amplifying project visibility through digital dissemination channels and webinars.
