Assessment of potential ICT-related collaboration and innovation capacity in east Africa

Abstract

Due to a significant investment in digital infrastructure and a pro-innovation policy and regulatory framework, the Innovation Ecosystems in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Kampala have considerably expanded over the last five years, incorporating new national and international Innovation Stakeholders. This is important in the context of realising the objectives of National Development Plans, and addressing high levels of youth and graduate unemployment. This paper presents a sub-set of results from a comprehensive baseline analysis of Innovation Ecosystems in these cities with a focus on assessing the current level of ICT-related Collaboration, Innovation Absorption capacity and challenges to be addressed. In order to benefit from these developments, it is recommended that the public sector take a leadership role in establishing necessary mechanisms that will stimulate multi-stakeholder collaboration amongst existing Innovation Actors to foster a sustainable Collaborative Open Innovation and Entrepreneurial culture.