Complexities of Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship by Two Indigenous Organisations...

Authored by: Britta Rutert and Cath Traynor Abstract:  In this Working Paper, we present our findings in respect of the innovative and entrepreneurial behaviour...

Determinants of Innovation Capability in Informal Settings: The Case of Nigeria’s...

Authored by: Oluseye Oladayo Jegede and Olubukola Esther Jegede Abstract: This study contributes to the growing literature on innovation capability in the informal sector in...

Innovation Linkages between Formal and Informal Sectors

Published by Open AIRPublication Date: 2014Download: Open A.I.R. Briefing Note: Innovation Linkages between Formal and Informal Sectors (360kb) This 2014 Briefing Note highlights the findings from...

Leap 4.0 – African Perspectives on the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The 4IR is well established in many parts of the world, with technological advances driving profound social and economic change. However, for many developing countries, particularly countries in Africa, the 4IR may not offer the anticipated 'leap' forward. This book seeks to identify the challenges and opportunities the 4IR presents to South Africa and the rest of the African continent, especially to workers and marginalised sectors of society.

Skills Development, Knowledge and Innovation at Suame Magazine, Kumasi

Authored by: Yaw Adu-Gyamfi and Benson Adjei Abstract: The informal-sector industrial cluster of Suame Magazine in Kumasi constitutes a major avenue for training, innovation, and knowledge-sharing...

Science, Technology & Innovation and Intellectual Property

2020 was an eventful year for the whole world, as a public health and economic crisis raged, bringing to the fore the perennial challenge of how to craft and use Intellectual Property (IP) institutions, law, policies and practices, collectively ‘IP frameworks’ to add to efforts to achieve sustainable development, and to consider recovery paths for economies. This coincided with intensified efforts to boost intra-African trade and enhance regional integration through the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)and the entry of the US into negotiations for a bilateral FTA with Kenya. This book engages with this challenge in its six chapters.

A Framework for Assessing Technology Hubs in Africa

Authored by: Jeremy de Beer, Paula Millar, Jacquelene Mwangi, Victor Nzomo, and Isaac Rutenberg Abstract: This article fills a gap in the research on technology hubs...

Trade Rules as Regulatory Tools for Inclusive Innovation: Connecting Digital Trade...

This report scopes and builds towards a new research agenda on the regulation of innovation. Grounded in the findings of a 2021-22 Open AIR Scoping Study funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the report supports the development of a collaborative research programme to improve the regulation of innovations in priority areas including health, the digital economy, and clean technology.

Shaping the Future of Makerspaces in Africa and Europe: Recommendations for...

The EU Horizon 2020-funded African European Maker Innovation Ecosystem (mAkE) Project, in which Open AIR is an African partner, has published its flagship policy report, Shaping the...

Annual Report 2020

In 2020 the theme of the Annual Report is “Resilience”. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Open AIR made significant research progress. Field research was...