Universities and Knowledge-based Development in sub-Saharan Africa: Comparing University–Firm Interaction in Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa

Abstract

Research on the changing role of universities in firm learning, innovation and national economic development has not extended systematically to low income countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on an empirical survey of firms and case studies of university practices, the article examines conditions of universities, firms and their potential for interaction across a national system of innovation in three countries, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa, in order to contribute to such analysis. In so doing, it attempts to open up a research agenda in terms of the specific challenges African countries face.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding support received under the RoKS programme of the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC), and in particular, the guidance of Jean Woo. Research teams at Marcus Garvey Pan African Institute, Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research and Human Sciences Research Council have made a critical contribution, particularly Jo Lorentzen and Il-haam Petersen. The Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators at the HSRC is acknowledged for access to the South African survey datasets.

Notes

1. See special issues of Science and Public Policy (2010) 37(7) and Seoul Journal of Economics (2009) 22(4).

2. For example, a collaboration to trial an integrated pest management technology through use of indigenous knowledge, in a US Agency for International Development- funded consortium that includes American universities, other Ugandan public research institutes, non-govermental organisations and a community cooperative that now includes 1300 members from 12 villages.