**6. Conclusions**

The study sought to examine the role of TK holders' institutions in the realisation of SDG-9 (the study focused on innovation) and SDG-16 (study focused on the building of strong institutions) using the Mijikenda and Mbeere communities in Kenya. The study finds the existence of TK holders' institutions in the case studies. They have been resilient and are legitimate explaining their continued use in natural resources governance, conflict resolution and even in politics. Importantly, the findings show that the institutions have a role in driving innovation, building strong institutions, engendering entrepreneurship and as data governance structures.

Regarding innovation, the study has shown that TK holders' institutions are instrumental in enhancing the innovation capacity of TK holders by creating the space that supports learning, creation and utilisation of innovation; promotion of innovation; and the flow and exchange of innovation. The institutions also increase the innovation output of TK holders, by enabling the latter access information and learn new techniques of production. Additionally, the institutions allow TK holders to expand institutional networks, at the local level and beyond, thus accessing resources to advance their innovation. Through those networks, TK holders' institutions promote the commercialisation and efficient diffusion of innovation in society; and facilitate the adaptation of new innovation and technologies to local needs and conditions. Further, and due to their pragmatic approach to gender, they engender inclusivity in innovation processes by enabling women, men and other social groups in a community to participate and benefit from innovations. Lastly, TK holders' institutions are better placed in protecting TK holders' innovation in view of the challenges they encounter in using the IP systems. However, and

#### *Harnessing Traditional Knowledge Holders' Institutions in Realising Sustainable Development… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98802*

whereas TK holders, are likely to benefit from collaborations with formal institutions like the IP framework in promoting their innovations and transformational entrepreneurship, those collaborations ought to be built through strong institutions that are dynamic, flexible, locally legitimate and responsive to social, political and environmental changes. Reliance on stronger TK holders' institutions can help stop the disenfranchising outcomes while interacting with external networks, and uphold communities' self-determining rights.

In the building of strong institutions as desired by SDG-16, the study has shown that TK holders' institutions continue to enjoy popular legitimacy, and play an essential role in conflict resolution, natural resources governance, in determining political leadership and maintenance of law and order, especially in the Mijikenda case study. As such, they can be used collaboratively with formal institutions like the justice system, natural resources governance institutions, and the IP system, to build strong and inclusive governance frameworks. From the case studies, it is evident that unlike the IP regime, TK holders' institutions have an inclusive and pragmatic approach to gender (thus promoting attainment of SDG-16 by being inclusive), offering both men and women opportunities to participate in, and benefit from innovation processes (essentially meeting SDG-9 by encouraging inclusivity in innovation). The study shows that the role of TK holders' institutions in the attainment of SDG-9 and 16 contributes positively in the realisation of other SDGs also. Some of the innovative activities that TK holders are engaged in, such as conservation of the environment, and making of pots that are energy efficient, can contribute to advancing other SDGs such as energy (SDG-7), climate action (SDG-13), food (SDG-2), life on land (SDG-15) and water (SDG-6).

Due to their role in driving innovation, TK holders' institutions provide a conducive environment for entrepreneurship, as they enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities and mind-set in the community. They also determine the prevalence, type and nature of entrepreneurial activities that TK holders engage in. through bridging social capital, TK holders are able to link up with other social and economic agents, and thus access vital resources, infrastructure, skills and knowledge within the community and beyond, which boost entrepreneurship.

Lastly, the study has shown that TK holders' institutions are pivotal in designing a strong regime for TK holders' data sovereignty, as they are data repositories and data governance frameworks. The data they hold underlies their capacity to innovate; strengthens institutions; manage, monitor and mitigate risks; and has impact on prevalence, type and nature of entrepreneurial activities that they can engage in. As data governance frameworks, they hold the promise in the realisation of the developmental needs and aspirations of TK holders.
