From 7th to 11th April 2025, the Enabel Innovation Hub hosted a dynamic and energising five-day bootcamp in Kampala. Funded by Belgium through the Wehubit 2.0 programme, with the contribution of the European Union via the Data Governance in Africa Initiative (DGA), the Digital and Green Innovation Joint Action (DGI), and the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA), this bootcamp served as a vibrant platform for peer learning, strategic thinking, and cross-sector collaboration. 

The event brought together 21 promising project teams, each supported through Enabel Innovation Hub and working on innovative solutions to address real-world challenges including climate change, child malnutrition, access to healthcare, and teacher development. Longa and Aledia, two projects financed by Belgium under Wehubit programme took part in the bootcamp. 

A week of learning, strategy, and KENnection 
Throughout the five days, participants explored key themes such as scaling strategies, sustainable finance, and partnership-building. Guided by innovation experts from Brink, the participants learned about Behavioural Innovation, a unique approach that blends behavioural science, psychology, and innovation methodologies to drive social impact. For interested projects, the Brink team will continue to provide support in the coming months through action-research collaborations. The bootcamp offered a powerful mix of practical exercises, expert-led sessions, and peer reflection, giving participants the time and space to step back and reassess the long-term vision of their scaling pathways.

This bootcamp also forms part of a broader initiative led by Enabel Innovation Hub : the Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN). This network brings together the 21 innovations currently supported by the Innovation Hub and the 27 alumni from the Wehubit 1.0 programme (2018–2023). Through various activities, the KEN aims to create spaces for exchange, shared learning, and peer-to-peer inspiration between current and former project teams, accelerating sustainable impact through social innovation. About the bootcamp, Axelle Callewier, Knowledge Management Officer at Enabel’s Innovation Hub, emphasised how meaningful the interactions were among the 21 projects meeting for the first time, with the added opportunity to connect with Alumni based in Kampala: 
“The energy in the room was undeniable - it’s incredibly rewarding to feel the collective momentum within this dynamic group of innovators.” 

Learning from the innovation ecosystem in Kampala 
A highlight moment of the week was the opportunity to witness innovation in action. Participants visited three social initiatives based in Kampala: 

• Ecoplastile: Tackling plastic pollution by converting waste into sustainable construction materials. 

• Zetu Africa: A design-based social enterprise behind the SeatPack—a school bag that transforms into a bamboo classroom chair. 

• AirQo: A Wehubit 1.0 alumni project, supported between 2018 and 2023. This research project from Makerere University develops low-cost air quality monitoring sensors, which are now being deployed on a large scale in Uganda. 

These visits offered a real-world perspective on innovation, resilience, and business models. As Angela from AirQo reminded everyone, speaking to the value of the Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) facilitated by Enabel: “We shine together.” 

Added value for Wehubit 2.0 programme participants 
The bootcamp proved highly beneficial for the two Wehubit 2.0 grantees, facilitating their progress in several key areas: 

• The grantees connected with other projects facing the same scaling challenges, particularly concerning integration within the national ecosystem and the initial stages of developing robust business models. 

• The visit to the Ugandan ecosystem at AirQo inspired one grantee, leading to plans for concrete follow-up actions to explore potential new partnerships. 

• The bootcamp enabled the grantees to initiate planning for the upcoming action research support. 

• Also, they explored potential future events participation relevant to innovation, e-health, agritech, and AI, aiming to gain external insights and inspiration. 

In summary, for the Belgian-supported project, the bootcamp provided a valuable opportunity for the two grantees to exchange insights both amongst themselves and with other participants. This fostered a deeper reflection on the shared challenges in scaling digital social innovations as non-profit entities. 

Looking ahead 
This bootcamp in Kampala was more than just a training - it was a catalyst for collaboration, strategic thinking, and inspiration. As Enabel and its partners continue to support innovation across Africa, events like these play a critical role in nourishing the social innovation ecosystem and scaling solutions that truly matter. By investing in people, partnerships, and purpose-driven innovation, we're paving the way for sustainable and social impact. 

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