African governments and development agencies have embraced science, technology and innovation as levers for development over the past two decades.
Science, technology and innovation boost productivity, cut transaction costs, open new business opportunities and promote social inclusion. They also help societies tackle grand challenges such as climate change and persistent poverty.
By 2020 at least 25 African countries had a national policy framework for science, technology and innovation. This compares with only about 8 in 2010.
Science, technology and innovation measurements are essential because they allow policymakers to see whether investments are yielding results. Without adequate metrics, scarce resources can be misdirected and progress towards Africa’s development goals will stall.
But are African governments, development partners and scholars measuring what matters?
As a group of researchers who have spent years studying science, technology and innovation systems in South Africa, Nigeria and other African countries, we sought to answer this question.
In a recent study we found that the indicators used to track innovation in Africa are largely borrowed from high-income countries, and may be missing the mark.
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If innovation is to help solve Africa’s challenges – like youth unemployment, food insecurity, digital exclusion and climate vulnerability – then the way African governments measure it needs to change.
Learning from the global south
Other regions have made headway with innovation metrics. Latin America developed the Bogota Manual in the 1990s to adapt innovation measurement to local contexts. Asia’s rising economies are also investing heavily in new metrics. Africa can learn from these experiences.
Our analysis shows that most highly cited work on African science, technology and innovation is authored outside the continent. Africa needs to grow a critical mass of African scholars generating theory and evidence about African innovation, for African development.
A call to action
With the African Continental Free Trade Area, rapid urbanisation and a booming youth population, the continent is poised for transformation. But this must be guided by data that reflect its realities.
To get there, Africa must develop, test and institutionalise new metrics. This means investing in local research, strengthening institutions and collaborating across countries and sectors.
Africa must define and measure innovation on its own terms. Only then can its data lead to policies that empower people, create jobs and build resilience.
