Prof. Erika Kraemer-Mbula is Professor of Economics at the University of Johannesburg and is currently the Chair holder of the DSI/NRF/Newton Fund Trilateral Chair in Transformative Innovation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Sustainable Development This is based at the College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, and is in partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex. Her work focuses on alternative development paths for African economies. She specialises in the analysis of innovation systems in connection to equitable development and inclusive development, and has done pioneering work on innovation in the African informal sector. Her research interests also include science and technology policy analysis and international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

Initially trained as an economist, Prof. Kraemer-Mbula holds a Master’s in Science and Technology Policy from the University of Sussex, and a Doctorate in Development Studies from the University of Oxford. Erika has undertaken a range of advisory assignments with international institutions such as IDRC, TWAS, UNDP, UNIDO and UNESCO, among others. She has a broad range of publications in the field of innovation and development, including on innovation in the informal sector.

In South Africa, Prof. Kraemer-Mbula is currently an appointed member of the Advisory Committee of the Centre for Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), and is on various Reference Groups at the National Advisory Council on Innovation. She frequently provides advice on innovation policy to the South African government on various platforms. Outside of South Africa, Prof. Kraemer-Mbula is a member of several research networks on innovation and development such as the current president of Globelics and advisory board member of Africalics.