The Readiness of Innovation Systems for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in Sub-Saharan Africa

Mafini Dosso, Chisom Ihebuzo Nwankwo and Youssef Travaly
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Chisom Ihebuzo Nwankwo: Federal Ministry of Science and Technology
Youssef Travaly: AllSightsAfrica and Friends of Europe

A chapter in Entrepreneurship, Technology Commercialisation, and Innovation Policy in Africa, 2021, pp 13-32 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter discusses the level of readiness of innovation systems of sub-Saharan African economies for the 4IR. The readiness here refers to at least four dimensions or pre-requirements of the 4IR: the (digital) infrastructure, the education and skills, the governance and demand readiness and the research and innovation potential. Besides many structural and investment deficiencies, local business ecosystems are rather hostile for the growth and scale-up of micro, small and medium size enterprises (MSMEs). Moreover, obstacles or barriers to technology diffusion and adoption undermine MSMEs’ innovation and creative capabilities. Use cases and applications of emerging technologies are spreading across the continent, albeit sparsely. In the last decade, African and international initiatives have opened genuine windows of opportunities for the sub-Saharan African region to reap the benefits of the 4IR.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-030-58240-1_2

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-58240-1_2

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