Overview

Investigating the nature, drivers and sources of innovation in Africa, this book examines the channels for effective diffusion of innovation in and to Africa under institutional, resource and affordability constraints. Fu draws on almost a decade of research on innovation in Africa to explore these issues and unpack the process, combining a rigorous statistical analysis of a purposely designed multi-wave, multi-country survey with in-depth studies of representative cases. Building on this research, Fu argues that African firms are innovative but unsupported. Those 'under-the-radar' innovations that widely exist in Africa as a result of the constraints are not sufficient to enable Africa to leapfrog the innovation gap in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution. This is the first comprehensive analysis of the creation and diffusion of innovation in low income countries. It also provides the first survey-based analysis of innovation in the informal economy.

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9781107183100

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Reviews

Xiaolan Fu, in collaboration with African colleagues, uncovers 'under the radar innovation' in Africa through a combination of pioneering surveys and case studies. The book offers important insights for scholars studying innovation and development and original ideas for policy makers in charge of preparing Africa for the digital future. Bengt Ake Bertil Lundvall, Professor Emeritus, Department of Business and Management, Aalborg University Continuous Innovation is the main driver for reducing poverty and achieving prosperity in a country at any stage of development. Through a systematic, rigorous, pioneering field research, the book found firms in Africa is as innovative under their constraints as firms in other dynamic growing countries. Once those constraints are eliminated, African countries with their innovative firms, like China after 1978, will get out of poverty trap and grow as dynamically as other successful emerging market economies. The author also discusses what those constraints are and how to eliminate them. The book gives the confidence and policy insights about the future of Africa. I recommend the book to be read by anyone in the development studies, African policy circles and global development community. Justin Yifu Lin, Dean, Institute of New Structural Economics, Peking University 'In collaboration with African scholars, Xiaolan Fu's path-breaking book provides the reader with a pioneering and comprehensive analysis of the character and drivers of innovation in Africa. This is an invaluable resource for both policy makers and scholars.' Raphael Kaplinsky, Emeritus Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, and Honorary Professor, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, and Emeritus Professor, Open University

Xiolan Fu, in collaboration with African colleagues, uncovers 'under the radar innovation' in Africa through a combination of pioneering surveys and case studies. The book offers important insights for scholars studying innovation and development and original ideas for policy makers in charge of preparing Africa for the digital future. Bengt Ake Bertil Lundvall, Professor Emeritus, Department of Business and Management, Aalborg University Continuous Innovation is the main driver for reducing poverty and achieving prosperity in a country at any stage of development. Through a systematic, rigorous, pioneering field research, the book found firms in Africa is as innovative under their constraints as firms in other dynamic growing countries. Once those constraints are eliminated, African countries with their innovative firms, like China after 1978, will get out of poverty trap and grow as dynamically as other successful emerging market economies. The author also discusses what those constraints are and how to eliminate them. The book gives the confidence and policy insights about the future of Africa. I recommend the book to be read by anyone in the development studies, African policy circles and global development community. Justin Yifu Lin, Dean, Institute of New Structural Economics, Peking University In collaboration with African scholars, Xiolan Fu's path-breaking book provides the reader with a pioneering and comprehensive analysis of the character and drivers of innovation in Africa. This is an invaluable resource for both policy makers and scholars. Raphael Kaplinsky, Emeritus Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, and Honorary Professor, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, and Emeritus Professor, Open University

Author Information

Xiaolan Fu is the Founding Director of the Technology and Management Centre for Development, Professor of Technology and International Development at the University of Oxford. She led the DFID/ESRC research on 'Diffusion of Innovation in Low-income countries', and is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Governing Council of the Technology Bank and the High-Level Advisory Group of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism for sustainable development.

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