Paper short abstract:

This study explores the nature of contemporary innovation ecosystems in Southern and Western Africa and provides recommendations for ways to support innovation ecosystem facilitation at and beyond country level, addressing gaps, challenges and blockages and focusing on building on existing strengths

Paper long abstract:

For policymakers and other actors in innovation systems, the pandemic has exposed many underlying challenges which countries have been trying to address through innovation processes, necessitating the need to rethink the organisation and deployment of these systems. In particular, there are many contextual realities which are coming to the fore, including confirmation of the complexity of the systems that affects actors' interactions and the limitations of traditional models of change and impact making.

In this study, we seek to better understand the range of existing innovation ecosystem support interventions and programmes in Southern and Western Africa to get insights on how to improve innovation systems performance in these regions. It takes a wide approach to innovation ecosystems and explicitly includes work beyond digital and financial sectors and innovations. It focusses on innovation ecosystems and support initiatives in 10 African countries with a view to identifying best practice, gaps and opportunities for the design of potential interventions to improve ecosystem facilitation mechanisms. It also explores collaboration and partnership opportunities for a wide range of national, regional and global development partners and stakeholders across the region.

The study recommends a number of facilitating mechanisms and activities that can support and improve innovation ecosystems, such as the establishment of mechanisms and programmes that support and facilitate cross-border innovation initiatives, and stimulate stakeholders' regional integration in existing regional bodies and frameworks.