Tanzanian Female Prime Mover Bags Awards of Note for Innovation, Patent Filing

SATURDAY July 5, 2025

By Adam Ihucha

The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania

Dr Never Zekeya Mwambela, a visionary Tanzanian inventor, has made history by sweeping two of the highest honours at the 2025 National Intellectual Property Awards (NIPA), held under the umbrella of World Intellectual Property Day at Dar es Salaam’s Johari Rotana Hotel.

In a field traditionally dominated by men, her breakthrough underscores the rising influence of women in science and innovation.

As the founder and CEO of Plant Biodefenders, and a senior lecturer at the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka, Dr Mwambela earned both: Leading Woman Innovator – Intellectual Property for Societal Impact, and Leading Individual in Patent Filings, outperforming hundreds of national contenders during BRELA’s high-profile red-carpet ceremony.

From Lab to Field

Plant Biodefenders is best known for Vuruga Biocide, a safe, fungus-based biopesticide derived from Aspergillus oryzae.

Designed to protect crops from pests like fall armyworm and tomato leafminer, Vuruga also enhances soil health, attracts pollinators, and boosts yields—making it a triple-benefit, climate-smart solution.

Since its 2021 launch, the product has grown rapidly, servicing over 12,000 farmers—3,800 of whom are women—across Tanzania.

With four issued patents and six registered products, the startup has revolutionised agricultural biotech in the region.

The rolled out products are Vuruga Biocide, Vector Biocide, Herbal tea, Plant Bioenhancer, NEMO – moth biopesticide and PlantLishe Biofertilizer.

“These patents are the ones that have brought the awards… and I am the only one with the Africa Regional Patent… overall winner nationwide for both men and women across all universities in the country, and also the only woman with the most patents both domestically and internationally,” Dr Mwambela explained, adding that these are patents with productive products available in the market.

Regional and Global Recognition

Prior to the NIPA win, Dr Mwambela scooped the Agroecological Food Futures Prize in Kigali (Dec 3, 2024), triumphing over 200 innovators region-wide with her Vuruga solution.

I am the only one with the Africa Regional Patent… overall winner nationwide for both men and women across all universities in the country, and also the only woman with the most patents both domestically and internationally,” Dr Never Mwambela, the lecturer at the College of African Wildlife Management Mweka based on the foot of Kilimanjaro Mountain, Tanzania.

She also unveiled her biocontrol innovation to a delegation led by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Dar es Salaam, earning praise and support for her sustainable approach.

Scaling up through FUNGUO

Under the FUNGUO Innovation Programme—backed by the EU, UK, and UNDP—Plant Biodefenders expanded production capacity at its Moshi facility and advanced its technical capabilities.

At the Tanzania Impact Investment Forum 2025, held at Johari Rotana, Dr Mwambela joined a select group of entrepreneurs in pitching for investment.

She revealed plans to raise $500,000 to scale up exports and broaden reach beyond Tanzania.

The Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, praised Dr Mwambela’s work as a prime example of IP-driven socio-economic impact, in line with the 2025 theme: Protecting and Proper Use of Intellectual Property for Socio-Economic Development.

BRELA CEO Godfrey Nyaisa used the occasion for calling for greater public awareness of IP rights, warning that low registration rates risk stifling innovation.

A Triumph for Women-Led Innovation

Dr Mwambela reflected that the awards affirm her belief in turning lab research into products that tangibly improve people’s lives.

Her leadership not only celebrates scientific excellence but also advances the role of women in Sceince, Technology, engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The College of African Wildlife Management – Mweka weighed in via Instagram:

“Congratulations Dr Never Mwambela… for winning two outstanding national intellectual property awards provided by BRELA.”

Why It Matters

Boosts food security: Vuruga offers eco-friendly pest control at scale.

It empowers women in science: Female leadership transforming agri-tech in Tanzania and fuels innovation.

Greater patent filings and IP awareness tied to national growth.

Dr Mwambela’s achievements shine a bright light on the power of scientific innovation rooted in local solutions—an inspiring template for future African trailblazersΩ