Image: thinkpublic [CC BY-ND 2.0], via Flickr
A report by the World Intellectual Property Organization has praised certain African countries for their efforts in innovation despite constrictive economic conditions.
WIPO’s 2019 Global Innovation Index especially praised Kenya and Rwanda even while Africa lags behind other regions of the world.
“When developing economies consistently invest in innovation, they can embark on a journey that leads to prosperity. This includes all regions, in particular, certain African economies, such as Kenya or Rwanda, that have made a real difference in the global innovation landscape,” the report states.
Metrics measured for the index include research and development, market sophistications, human capital, innovation outputs and infrastructure. A total of 129 countries were included.
Africa had the most representatives among 18 countries the report identified as “innovation achievers”, or countries which “outperform on innovation relative to GDP”. They include Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and South Africa. Kenya has been an achiever every year since 2011. Rwanda, Malawi and Mozambique scored the designation for seven of the last nine years.
Africa, however, is low on the world’s list of most innovative countries. South Africa was ranked the highest at 63, followed by Kenya (77), Mauritius (82), Botswana (93) and Rwanda (94). Africa also has the most countries below position 100, with 19.
South Africa was ranked seventh in the top 10 for innovation among middle-income countries, a list topped by its BRICS partners—China, India, Russia and Brazil respectively.