Assessing the performance of national innovation systems (NIS) in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is characterized by uneven outcomes, despite being seen as crucial for structural transformation and sustainable development. This study evaluates national innovation system (NIS) performance across 43 SSA nations from 2005 to 2023, utilizing evolutionary economics and innovation systems theory. The analysis, employing various regression techniques, reveals that innovation in SSA is heavily influenced by historical context and cumulative learning rather than immediate policy changes. Key drivers include institutional quality, labor participation, and access to credit, while R&D expenditure is significant primarily in high-intensity settings. External factors show mixed results, emphasizing the need for tailored innovation strategies that consider local institutional contexts in the Global South.