Global Metrics Fail to Capture Africa’s Innovation Surge

In the last twenty years, African countries and development organizations have acknowledged the vital importance of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in advancing development efforts. These components enhance productivity, reduce transaction costs, create new business opportunities, and foster social inclusion. Moreover, they enable communities to tackle urgent issues like climate change and persistent poverty.

By 2020, over 25 African nations had established national STI policy frameworks, a considerable rise from about 8 in 2010.

Assessing STI is crucial for policymakers to evaluate the effectiveness of their investments. Misguided metrics can hinder resource allocation, obstructing progress towards Africa’s development goals.

But are government agencies, development partners, and researchers in Africa focusing on the correct metrics?

Our research team, dedicated to studying STI systems in South Africa, Nigeria, and other African nations, sought to answer this query.

Recent findings suggest that numerous indicators used to gauge innovation in Africa primarily come from high-income nations and may lack relevance.

To effectively address pressing issues in Africa—like youth unemployment, food security, digital exclusion, and climate vulnerability—governments need to reassess their measurement techniques.

The Measurement Gap

Although metrics such as research and development expenditures, patent counts, and researcher numbers can provide important insights, they often offer a limited view. These indicators typically represent a formal, technology-driven innovation model characteristic of wealthier countries.

Conversely, many African economies are influenced by informal businesses, local creativity, and necessity-driven solutions.

A comprehensive review of 42 peer-reviewed studies from 2008 to 2024 indicates that while research on measuring STI in Africa is expanding, it remains fragmented and superficial.

Most studies focus on South Africa and Nigeria, leaving many areas of the continent under-researched. Even within these two countries, there is often a tendency to follow international standards instead of developing localized approaches.

By utilizing bibliographic databases and searching for terms like “innovation” and “Africa,” we analyzed the geographic representation of authors for the 42 studies in our dataset. Only countries with at least five publications were considered, with Nigeria and South Africa being the sole qualifying nations from Africa.

Uncounted Innovations

A multitude of significant innovations in Africa occur “behind the scenes” in farms, markets, workshops, and communities, making them challenging to quantify.

For instance, a mobile money agent in rural Kenya might develop a secure method for money transfer without relying on traditional banking systems, or a technician in Nigeria may modify used engines to run on locally-sourced fuel blends. Such innovations are seldom captured by traditional datasets.

This challenge is not just about visibility; it stems from a conceptual gap. A large percentage of Africa’s innovation is incremental, necessity-driven, and focused on practical applications rather than formal research and development. Current metrics fail to effectively represent these realities.

The Importance of Measurement

Why is measuring innovation in Africa crucial? The answer lies in policy-making. The metrics used shape funding, support, and prioritization of initiatives. If African policymakers rely on indicators that overlook the informal sector or dismiss indigenous knowledge, they risk overlooking critical economic and social dynamics.

Furthermore, global development frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union STI Strategy for Africa necessitate accurate data to gauge progress. Without reliable statistics that accurately reflect conditions, Africa cannot effectively evaluate how STI contributes to food security, healthcare, or climate resilience.

Towards a New Agenda

Where should we start measuring what truly matters in Africa?

Our research highlights six key action areas:

1. Align metrics with the Sustainable Development Goals: Indicators should reflect how innovation tackles real issues like clean water, renewable energy, and maternal health, rather than solely tracking patents.
2. Enhance data quality and governance: Many African countries lack robust data collection frameworks and need improved institutional capacity and inclusive survey methodologies.
3. Acknowledge diverse forms of innovation: Innovation in Africa appears in various forms, from grassroots creativity to digital enterprises.
4. Focus on the informal sector: This sector is crucial for innovation and employs a significant portion of Africa’s workforce. The International Labour Organization projects that by 2024, 83% of all jobs in Africa will be within the informal economy.

Innovative initiatives in South Africa and Nigeria are already adjusting innovation surveys to include informal businesses.

For example, the Centre for Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators in South Africa conducted its first comprehensive innovation survey in the informal sector in 2018, with a similar effort planned in Nigeria.

5. Monitor digitalization: Africa’s digital transformation, showcased by advancements like mobile banking and e-health, is substantial yet often poorly measured.
6. Integrate environmental sustainability: Green innovation is frequently overlooked. As the impact of climate change intensifies, understanding how innovation can enhance resilience is as vital as promoting growth.

Learning from the Global South

Other regions have made strides in innovation metrics. For instance, Latin America developed the Bogota Manual in the 1990s to tailor innovation metrics for local contexts. Similarly, emerging economies in Asia are heavily investing in new measurement strategies. Africa can draw invaluable lessons from these experiences.

Our analysis shows that most frequently cited research on African STI is authored by scholars based outside the continent. It is essential for Africa to nurture a strong community of local researchers who can create theories and evidence relevant to its distinct innovation landscape.

A Call to Action

With the African Continental Free Trade Area, rapid urbanization, and a youthful population, the continent is positioned for transformative change. However, this transformation must be directed by data that accurately reflects its realities.

To achieve this, Africa needs to develop, assess, and institutionalize new metrics. This requires investment in local research, strengthening institutional frameworks, and fostering collaboration across nations and sectors.

Africa must define and articulate innovation using its own standards. Only then can its data inform policies that empower individuals, create jobs, and enhance resilience.

Abiodun Egbetokun, Senior Lecturer, Business Management, De Montfort University; David Adeyeye, Deputy Director, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM); Glenda Kruss, Executive Head of the Centre for Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators, Human Sciences Research Council; Il-haam Petersen, Chief Research Specialist, Human Sciences Research Council; Maruf Sanni, Deputy Director, Research, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM).

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