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 donorcountry produces frugal innovations using a Triple Helix approach, where research organizationswork 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 asone of the partners. The mechanism is supposed to generate education, research and innovationplatforms. Thus, in this regard, the crucial questions are: Did the sectoral innovation centrework? Was the governance structure successful and did it create dynamic education, researchand 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 Centredeveloped education, research, and innovation platforms. The Triple Helix approach guaranteesinvolvement of all stakeholders, and the Innovation Centre generates frugal innovations anddrives local economic development, although improvements are possible and necessary to builda real poultry cluster.