The principle and practice of innovation underpins today’s global economies which are challenged by the dichotomy of unbridled consumerism and wastage in the Global North and chronic malnutrition in the south. The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, has shown that this divide is unsustainable and that an effective global response requires research and innovation by the citizenry. Western countries seem to have mastered the pillars of production through the generation of intellectual property monetised into processes and products that benefit society. State institutions of higher learning (IHL) and research centres in Africa largely depend on public funding and are struggling to fulfil the mandate of generating and maintaining knowledge whilst bringing forth innovations which make them self-sustaining. As such, IHL are limited in their significant contribution to national development apart from churning out students for the workplace who do not become successful innovators and entrepreneurs. Part of the problem lies in the inability of faculty members to conceptualise and articulate the concepts of research and innovation and their relation to the IHLs themselves and the wider economy. This affects execution. This paper seeks to explore the connection between research and innovation which results in enterprise in the context of Education 5.0. The aim is to help bridge the interface between higher education and industry, which has always been difficult to navigate, insofar as industry may only partner with tertiary institutions in IP generation and partnerships, if and only if, they see a material benefit which enhances their own interests. Universities in Africa can move away from dependence on government funding through actively cultivating symbiotic partnerships with industry, development agencies, and civic organisations on cross-platform initiatives which are mutually beneficial.