Perspectives on ICT and Innovation in Africa

Perspectives on ICT and Innovation in Africa Hannes Toivanen VTT Organizations, Networks and Innovation Systems [email protected] 12th October 20...
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Perspectives on ICT and Innovation in Africa Hannes Toivanen VTT Organizations, Networks and Innovation Systems [email protected] 12th October 2009

http://www.vtt.fi/innovationstudies

ICT and Innovation in Africa – Global Perspectives The end of cost-cutting globalization; The next phase of globalization is characterized: Search for growth markets; Creation of knowledge and innovation networks; STI is poised for growth in Africa – Will this growth take off? Will Africa make it out of the shadow of China and India? Is Africa truly at the beginning of new growth path? What particular conditions Africa imposes on knowledge driven growth? What is at stake for Europe and Finland? Are we heading towards zero-sum or win-win globalization?

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Africa – poised for growth Most authorities forecast that population in Sub-Saharan Africa is going to add about 1bn people by 2050; There will be growth, but what type of growth? Enormous development challenges; Are policies in place that facilitate environmentally and socially sustainable growth?; Government is key actor on all aspects of development cf. China; The Demand: Without Science, Technology and Innovations and ICT, the forecast growth cannot be managed adequetly;

Source: The Economist 27 Aug 2009

Demand and needs at multiple fronts Hannes Toivanen - 12.10.2009

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Global Production of New Knowledge doubled in 1981-2007 (new articles)

Source for this and subsequent slides: Web of Science-data Hannes Toivanen - 12.10.2009

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From Bi-Polar to Multipolar World of Science: Share of Global Production New Knowledge 1981-2007

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Turning Tables: India & Brazil Share of Global Production New Knowledge 1981-2007

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The Comparative Stagnation of Sub-Saharan Africa: National Production of New Knowledge 1981-2007 (BRA, FI and selected SubSaharan Countries

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But the Devil (and Growth) is in the Details: Production of New Knowledge in Sub-Sahara 2000-2008

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Doubling and more since 2000 – only Zimbabwe is on declines Production of New Knowledge in Sub-Sahara 2000-2008

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The Internet in Africa Internet connection in Africa most expensive in the world With new international submarine cables and connectivity, rices set to fall rapidly: Escaping the satellite based internet with undersea cables Augmented with regional and national backbones and networks

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Social media

Blank page today Not even measured in a meaningful way To be play huge role in internet, once the infrastructure and accessibility problems are addressed

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Some observations and claims Demand and supply of innovation are prolifirating

• Political framework conditions for sustained growth look good in many parts of Africa; • The infrastructure is being built • International community, including private actors, have signalled investment-fever; • Demand is levelling off due to population and economic growth;

No off-the shelf solutions for innovation in Africa

• Combination of poverty and high market growth envelops unknown innovation and business dynamics; • Transfer of national or business models is of limited viability; • Emergence of Regional African Models of Innovation and Information Society

The X-factors

• How the innovation process unfolds in Africa; • Relationship between development (MDG) and innovation and ICT; • What will be the division of labour in global innovation networks? Hannes Toivanen - 12.10.2009

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VTT Innovation Studies Agenda: Advance the capacity of societies to adopt new technology and foster innovation Strategic research

Finnish & Global networks

• Frontier research on globalization of innovation, emerging models of innovation (Africa, Brazil) • Building knowledge base for applied services • Academic research: analysis, evaluation, concept & theory development on innovation and competitiveness;

Dev. cooperation

• Support in building ICT / STI systems and environments • Support to public and private actors and PPIiniatives • Policy advice, development and implementation: Foresight, analysis, strategy development, evaluation, project management and implementation

Business intelligence

• Development & services • Customers specified support for innovation and business development: Regional, country, industry, market, innovation level analysis; Foresight, analysis, strategy development, user studies, networking services etc.

• Finnish Consulting Group, Finland • Global Research Alliance, SA (CSIR India, CSIR SA, SIRIM BERHARD (Malaysia) etc) • JIIP – Joint Institute of Innovation Policy (TNO (NL), Tecnalia (ES), Joanneum Research ( AT) • Univ. of São Paulo – Observatory for Innovati0n and Competitiveness ( • Georgia Institute of Technology (USA) • Univ. Eduardo Mondlane (Moçambique) • Univ. Dar es Salaam, Tumaini Univ. (Tanzania) Hannes Toivanen - 12.10.2009

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VTT Organizations, Networks and Innovation Systems Project Organization

Innovation studies

• Over 20 specialists • Research, analysis, and program management on all aspects of innovation and organization • Policy & corporate strategy and development • Innovation & Development Hub at VTT • Create and mobilize VTT Technical expert networks

VTT Technological fields

• Scientific and technological expertise (over 2500 experts on most technology areas) • Dedicated expert networks, e.g. ICT, built infrastructure, etc. • Planning, demonstration and feasability • Customized support teams in support of projects in Africa

External networks

• Geographic coverage with leading regional experts and institutions (currently USA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Brazil); • Expertise covering market operations / market nexus; • Technology vendors / suppliers for large-scale projects; • Customized support teams in support of VTT projects; • Acquicisition of special skills and services

RECENT VTT ACTIVITIES • Scoping paper: Tanzanian / Sub-Saharan ICT and Information Society Strategies. 2009 • Consultancy services for Technical Assistance to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its´ African member states on ICT development in Africa, 2009 • With Finnish Consulting Group • Consultancy services for Technical Assistance to the African Union ICT Summit, 2009-2010 Hannes Toivanen - 12.10.2009

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THANK YOU! Contact: Email. [email protected] Tel. 358 40 186 3882 http://www.vtt.fi/innovationstudies

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