The Rwanda Poultry Innovation Centre: Leveraging The Triple Helix Approach to Drive Frugal Innovations and Build a Poultry Cluster

Abstract: A Poultry Innovation Centre initiated by the Rwandan government with a donor
country produces frugal innovations using a Triple Helix approach, where research organizations
work with both the government and the private sector to develop and implement the innovations.
The governance structure involves a public-private partnership, with educational institution as
one of the partners. The mechanism is supposed to generate education, research and innovation
platforms. Thus, in this regard, the crucial questions are: Did the sectoral innovation centre
work? Was the governance structure successful and did it create dynamic education, research
and innovation platforms? This research shows that the Innovation Centre was successful;
key partners are on board; and a win-win situation was created. The Innovation Centre
developed education, research, and innovation platforms. The Triple Helix approach guarantees
involvement of all stakeholders, and the Innovation Centre generates frugal innovations and
drives local economic development, although improvements are possible and necessary to build
a real poultry cluster.