Mr Chrispin KAPHAIKA
About Mr Chrispin KAPHAIKA
Chrispin Sunganani Khumalo Kaphaika is a Malawian Intellectual Property (IP) management specialist, researcher, and innovation practitioner whose work lies at the intersection of IP, agribusiness management and entrepreneurship, and agricultural and applied economics. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship, and holds BSc and MSc degrees in Agricultural and Applied Economics. He also holds a Master of Intellectual Property (MIP) from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in collaboration with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), where he was recognized as the Best Graduating Candidate. His research excellence has been acknowledged by the African Association of Agricultural Economists (2023) for making a remarkable contribution to the field across Africa, and he is a contributor to the 2025 WIPO Global Research Experts Meeting (GREM). Chrispin currently serves as Technology Transfer Officer here at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), where he leads initiatives in IP management, technology transfer, and research commercialization, supporting the translation of academic research into impactful, market-ready innovations. He also serves on the 2025–2027 Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) Committee under the Africa Engagement portfolio, contributing to strengthening regional research and innovation ecosystems.
Research Interest for: Mr Chrispin KAPHAIKA
Intellectual Property Management and Commercialization
Research on strategic IP management systems that enhance protection, ownership, and commercialization of research outputs, with a focus on transforming academic innovations into market-ready technologies and scalable enterprises in developing economies.
Intellectual Property Valuation
Examination of qualitative and quantitative methods for valuing intellectual assets, including patents, trademarks, and know-how, to support licensing, investment decisions, technology transfer, and policy formulation in agribusiness and innovation-driven sectors.
Intellectual Property Finance
Exploration of IP as a financial asset, including IP-backed financing, securitization, venture capital, and alternative funding mechanisms that leverage intellectual property to unlock capital for startups, SMEs, and research-based enterprises.
Agribusiness Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Research on innovation systems, entrepreneurship development, and business models in agribusiness, emphasizing the role of IP in enhancing competitiveness, productivity, and sustainable value creation.
Technology Transfer and Research Commercialization
Focus on institutional frameworks, policies, and practices that improve technology transfer efficiency, promote university–industry linkages, and accelerate the socio-economic impact of publicly funded research.
IP Policy, Governance, and Development Economics
Investigation of how IP policies and regulatory frameworks influence innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development, particularly in African and emerging economy contexts.
Agricultural and Applied Economics for Innovation Systems
Application of agricultural and applied economics tools to analyze innovation ecosystems, investment decisions, and the economic impact of IP-driven technologies in agriculture and related sectors.
Evidence-Based IP-Led Development
Research on data-driven and impact-oriented approaches that position intellectual property as a catalyst for inclusive growth, structural transformation, and sustainable development in Africa.
Biofortification and Value Addition of Staple Crops (e.g., Sweet Potato)
Application of agricultural and applied economics to evaluate the adoption, uptake, and socio-economic impacts of biofortified and value-added staple crops such as sweet potato. This includes analyzing farmer and consumer behavior, market dynamics, cost–benefit performance, and welfare effects to inform policies and strategies that enhance scaling, sustainability, and the development impact of biofortified food systems.