Social and Technological Innovation in Africa: Sustaining a Post COVID-19 Research for Development

✍ Scribed by Solomon Nwaka

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 216
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book examines the landscape of sustained investment in research and innovation in Africa, which are critical for development. This cutting-edge analysis is based on empirical evidence and the author’s experience in managing health and related innovations on the continent and globally. It concludes, for the first time, that African innovation is largely driven by the principles of Social, rather than Technological innovation. The significance of this finding and the need to optimize, scale and sustain this dominant innovation is addressed in various chapters that analyze the status, challenges and opportunities. Particularly, the financing, collaboration and coordination patterns for these activities on the continent show a fragmented ecosystem that is largely dependent on external donors and aid. The importance of supportive policies, leadership and venture mechanisms that incentivizes public and private entities to innovate is further exemplified by the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. The book proposes mechanism to address identified challenges.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
About the Book
Contents
About the Author
List of Figures
Contents
1: Introduction: Demographics and Frameworks for African-Led Research, Innovation and Development
2: Landscape for Research and Innovation in Africa
3: Research, Invention and Innovation: Social and Technological—What Do They Mean?
3.1 Social and Technological Innovation
4: ANDI and African Health Innovation
4.1 Role of African Scientists and Institutions in the Launch of ANDI and Its Operations
4.1.1 Initiation of Regional Hubs in Countries
4.1.2 Several Collaborative Projects Were Supported and Implemented
4.1.3 Implementation of the World Health Assembly (WHA) Demonstration Project
5: Human, Institutional and Financial Resources, and Partnerships
5.1 North-South, South-South Partnerships and Official Development Assistance
5.2 Financing, Official Development Assistance and Proposed African Innovation Fund
6: African Traditional Knowledge, Other Technologies and Emerging Areas
6.1 Digital, Bio- and Chemical Technologies in Africa
6.2 Emerging Technologies and the Future of Innovation in Africa
7: Technology Readiness Levels, the Valley of Death and Scaling Up Innovations
7.1 Scaling Up Innovations
8: Manufacturing in Africa
9: Adopting and Adapting Innovations: Frugal, Leapfrogging and Open Innovation Approaches
9.1 Frugal Innovation
9.2 Leapfrogging Innovation
9.3 Open Innovation
10: Brain Drain, the African Diaspora and Innovation in Africa
10.1 African Diaspora and Innovation on the Continent
11: COVID-19 Pandemic, Leadership and Ownership of Innovation in Africa
11.1 Leadership and Ownership of Research and Innovation in Africa
12: Integrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship into the African Educational System: Concept of IDEA University
12.1 Overview and Rationale for IDEA Academy or University
12.2 Vision and Operational Framework
12.3 Additional Supporting Information
Appendix A: Examples of Email Exchanges with African Scientists and Institutions That Resulted in Establishment of ANDI
Appendix B: Report of the External Review of ANDI in October 2012 and Response of the ANDI Board
Executive Summary
Background
The Terms of Reference and the Review Process
Key Findings
Key Recommendations
The Mission, Vision and Unique Features of ANDI
Governance
Secretariat and Transition to ECA
Scientific and Technical Components
The Business and Finance Model
Support for ANDI in Africa
Communication
Conclusions
Response of the Board to the Report of the 2012 External Review of ANDI: 3rd ANDI Board Meeting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Appendix C: External Initiatives Coordinating R&D and Innovation
Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)
1.1 Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), and the Global Antibiotics Research and Development Partnership (GARDP)
EDCTP—European Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership
Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)
PATH (formerly known as Program for Appropriate Technology in Health)
UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
Grand Challenges Initiatives
CEPI—Coalition for Epidemics Preparedness Innovation
COVID-19 Therapeutics Initiatives
United Nations-Linked Science and Innovation Initiatives
Appendix D: African Initiatives Coordinating R&D and Innovation
AUDA-NEPAD: AU Development Agency-New Partnership for African Development
African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and Its Initiatives
FAPMA—Federation of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Other Initiatives Within the African Union (AU)
Index