Abstract:
This paper describes the results of phase one of the four phases of the palm oil distillation Living
Lab initiative that is being implemented under the FormlT intermediary Living Lab methodology
in Kazuramimba village, Uvinza District, Kigoma region. The purpose of the Living Lab initiative
is to enhance women's indigenous innovative practices in palm oil distillation within the
framework of business incubation. The paper starts with a conceptual overview of the Living Lab
methodology and proceeds to explain how the FormlT methodology is being applied to enhance
innovative practices among women-owned small and medium palm oil distillation businesses in
Kazuramimba village. The FormlT approach include simulating a real-life business environment
in which women entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply their indigenous business knowledge in
co-creating innovative techniques that could improve the traditional methods of palm oil
distillation. Ten cooperative groups of women entrepreneurs consisting 270 members are
participating in the Living Lab FormlT experimentation through "unconference" meetings and
focus group discussions on their current situation, challenges, opportunities and the required
support. The experience of the first phase reported herein has provided the women with insights
about how their entrepreneurial innovative potentials can help them augment their indigenous
entrepreneurship knowledge and skills to produce quality products and services that match market
standards and consumer needs.
