Mugwagwa, J; Banda, G; Ozor, N; Bolo, M; Oriama, R; (2019) New Approaches for Funding Research and Innovation in Africa. (ATPS Research Paper Series 50). African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS): Nairobi, Kenya.

Text Mugwagwa2018, ResearchPaper_N50_New Approaches for Funding Research and Innovation in Africa.pdf - Published Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff Download (1MB)

Abstract

It is without doubt that African countries’ individual and collective aspirations of economic development through research and innovation are in line with trends worldwide. Similarly, like elsewhere in different parts of the world, African countries have been exploring different approaches, institutional reforms, models and mechanisms towards more efficient and effective funding and financing of research and innovation. This commissioned paper derives from a study which used a combination of primary and secondary data sources to inform current debates and reviews on re-organization of research and innovation funding in Africa. The study specifically sought to identify and analyse “new approaches for funding research and innovation in Africa”. Study findings show that the importance of research and innovation is rated medium to high and is increasing in most of the African countries. This is demonstrated by practice, institutional and policy provisions for science, technology and innovation (STI), which have been instituted in the last few years. A number of dynamic new funding models have been developed, adopted and deployed in countries and sectors to deal with the realities of decreasing funding for research and innovation from traditional sources. These models, encompassing partnerships, co-funding and multi-disciplinary approaches, seek to ensure context-driven, efficient and effective utilisation of scarce resources. Challenges ranging from insufficient political will to lack of implementation plans and uncoordinated approaches to STI were said to be stalling the expansion and sustainable deployment of the new funding models.

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