Challenges of Building Africa's Innovation Systems

Abstract

The presentation provides clarification of aspects of innovation systems as they apply in the African context. It describes characteristics of emergent innovation systems and innovation drivers and actors. Ideas about the integration of Africa or of creating an Africa nation can themselves be considered as dynamic innovation systems requiring systemic approaches to understanding and creating knowledge in interaction with policies, institutions, system of innovation actors, and incentives. Innovation at the community level would require establishment of a Community Innovation System (CIS) to promote development from the bottom, not just from the state and business.