"Innovation and the Development Agenda" Ed. by Erika Kraemer-Mbula and Watu Wamae

This book examines the role of innovation in developing countries, with a focus on Africa. It investigates innovation systems and their application; the key role of knowledge in innovation for development; and the importance of comparable country studies and official statistics on innovation.

It stresses the need for innovation to become part of a comprehensive development agenda, and makes recommendations for promoting activities in both the formal and informal sectors, with the aim of transforming agriculture into a knowledge-based industry capable of stimulating economic growth.


Innovation drives long-term economic growth. It has a crucial role to play as global economies recover from the current financial crisis. Innovation and the Development Agenda is an important component of the overall OECD Innovation Strategy, which seeks to create stronger and more sustainable growth, while addressing the key global challenges of the 21st century. It is also part of the Innovation, Technology, and Society programme of IDRC.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Chapter 1. The Role of Innovation in the Area of Development
Background and rationale
Areas for action
Rising to the challenges
The contribution of this volume
Chapter 2. Key Issues for Innovation and Development
Key theoretical issues
Key issues for innovation policy and implementation
Chapter 3. The Relevance of Innovation Systems to Developing Countries
Applying the innovation systems concept to developing countries
What are the implications of innovation systems and innovation practices thinking for developing countries?
Changing innovation dynamics and implications for learning and innovation processes in developing countries
The relevance and impact of theories of innovation systems on policy in Sub-Saharan Africa
Chapter 4. Adapting the Innovation Systems Framework to Sub-Saharan Africa
The role of extractive industries and infrastructure in innovation and technological learning in Sub-Saharan Africa
A large informal sector and converting knowledge to value
Chapter 5. Knowledge Policy for Development
Different countries, different challenges for knowledge policy
What model of innovation for the least developed countries? The importance of local innovation and local spillovers
A new framework
Discovering the relevant areas for science and technology capacity building
Improving the knowledge ecology
Building systems of innovation from the elements of the knowledge ecology: Barriers and incentives
Chapter 6. Facilitating North-South Knowledge Sharing: Conditions for Enhanced Knowledge Flows
International technology flows: A review of the evidence
What is required for successful technology transfer?
Chapter 7. Innovation Strategies in Developing Countries
The recent history of innovation strategies in developing countries
Is innovation different in developing countries?
Frequent issues in the literature on innovation strategies in developing countries
Policy implications for developing countries
Role of donor countries in facilitating the implementation of innovation strategies