https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4132-2914
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Abstract
This paper calls for a better integration of place-based, evidence-based and inclusive dimensions in the implementation of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) plans and industrial policies in sub-Saharan Africa. To this end, the analysis contrasts with and takes inspiration from the recent and ongoing international experiences in the elaboration of Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (S3). Then a preliminary mapping of the economic, scientific and innovative potentials for Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa) is achieved in line with the smart specialisation approach to evidence collection for innovation policy. The conceptual and mapping exercise can help innovation practitioners and stakeholders to identify important gaps of evidence needed to inform place-based or territorial development policies. The integration of smart specialisation principles into STI and industrial policymaking can indeed open several opportunities to identify and nurture innovative activities and novel industries. Pragmatic recommendations are drawn from these perspectives for more effective innovation-based local development strategies in Côte d’Ivoire and the region.
Acknowledgements
This paper was presented at the conference “Technology, R&D, Education and Economy (TREE) for Africa” that took place in 2018 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The analyses presented in this paper do not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission. Neither the European Commission nor anyone acting on its behalf can be held responsible for any use made thereof.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1 The term Innovation in this paper has a broad meaning, which refers both to technological and non-technological forms of innovations. It encompasses products, processes, organizational, marketing, institutional and social innovations, whether they are either radically or incrementally novel or only new to the firm and/or only new to the target market.
2 http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ (latest access August 2019).
3 The recent shift in the policy thinking has been marked by the early Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action endorsed in 2006 (Khartoum Summit) and the adoption of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa – 2024 (STISA-2024, June 2014, 23rd Ordinary session) (AUC Citation2014). See also UNECA (Citation2016) and the UNESCO’s African STI Policy Initiative, http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/science-technology/sti-policy/africa/launch-of-the-african-science-technology-and-innovation-policy-initiative/ (latest access August 2019).
4 Smart specialisation platform http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu.
5 In collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG NEAR, a recent Smart Specialisation process has been officially launched by Tunisia. A series of workshops, dialogues and analyses are being undertaken in collaboration with African, Rwanda’s national institutions (e.g. Rwanda Academy of Sciences) and international experts to inform future pilots.
6 In the EU context, RIS3 were required as a legally binding ex-ante conditionality (regulation EU 1301/2013): National/regional authorities across Europe shall design S3 in entrepreneurial discovery process in order to use more efficiently the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF), to drive synergies between EU, national and regional policies, and to enhance public & private investments.
7 The broad types of innovation policy instruments underlined here – Regulation, Economic transfers and Soft instruments – have been discussed more in depth by Borrás and Edquist (Citation2013).
8 Smart specialisation platform: http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu. S3 beyond EU: http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/s3-beyond-eu; S3 worldwide: http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/s3-worldwide.
9 See Foray et al. Citation2012 for the first official Guide on RIS3.
10 See also the background and synopsis of the debate on ‘Territorial Innovation Policies and Smart Specialisation: a promising area for Africa-EU cooperation’ organized by the European Commission’s DG JRC at the European Development Days 2017, June, Brussels. The debate was organized with the official support of the AU’s AOSTI and Côte d’Ivoire’s institutions. (see https://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/20182/217512/Background±note±EDD±Debate±D4±June±8th.pdf/48bdddfa-107e-4cd6-8cd6-ca3d4ff3c843 and https://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/20182/217512/EDD2017_Prosperity_D4_ppt±June±8th.pdf/8e9b046d-0778-4831-b8e2-35737120171a).
11 STISA 2014–2024 has followed the AU/NEPAD Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) which was endorsed by the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in 2006 and adopted by the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST). The CPA built upon five clusters of flagship research and development programmes to be implemented between 2006 and 2010: Biodiversity, biotechnology and indigenous knowledge; Energy, water and desertification; Material sciences, manufacturing, laser and post-harvest technologies; Mathematical Sciences and; ICT and Space Sciences.
12 This is equivalent to about 81,000 researchers (UNESCO, Unesco Institute for Statistics, UIS.stat). See also the overview on R&I performance in Africa (Dosso et al. Citation2017).
13 The recent declaration signed by the representative of the AU and more than 100 companies during the Africa Talks Jobs 2017 conference in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) constitutes an exemplary step towards a greater and more concrete commitment of the private sector in the employability and training of youth on the continent.
14 See at https://fonari.mesrs-ci.net/. The creation of an innovation funds has been announced several times in the last two years (see a ministerial TV announcement at https://news.abidjan.net/h/664453.html).
15 See the Ministry for more details on the universities and research centres: http://www.enseignement.gouv.ci/index.php?open=recherche&rec=uivoiro; http://www.enseignement.gouv.ci/index.php?open=recherche&rec=organes.
16 See also the detailed reports of McKinsey Global Institute (Citation2016) and IMF (Citation2016 [Citation2017])
17 See at https://www.agenceemploijeunes.ci/site/themes/themeforest/assets/files/RAPPORT_FINAL_ENSESI_2016.pdf.
18 Above 60% of the PND should be funded through public-private partnership. The strategic orientations of the PND 2016–2020 are available at: http://www.gcpnd.gouv.ci/fichier/doc/TOME2_compresse.pdf.
19 Côte d’Ivoire’s AGEDI information (http://www.agedi.ci/map.html / http://www.agedi.ci/interieur.php).