World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released the 2024 edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII). This comprehensive report ranks 133 countries, offering valuable insights into global innovation trends. Africa stands out as a region with significant progress and challenges. Here’s a closer look at how African countries are performing in this competitive global landscape.
The State of Innovation in Africa for 2024
Africa’s most innovative countries in 2024 demonstrate a blend of progress and hurdles across various innovation cycles. WIPO’s Global Innovation Index reveals how African nations are evolving, particularly in areas like technological adoption and scientific investments.
The index, first launched in 2007, evaluates countries based on factors such as scientific and technological investments, innovation adoption, and socioeconomic impacts. Other criteria like infrastructure, human capital, and business sophistication are also analyzed. Despite global economic uncertainty, many African nations have shown resilience.
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In 2023, investments in science and innovation took a dip after the strong growth seen between 2020 and 2022. However, technological adoption remained strong, contributing to a positive outlook for the continent. Although there was a marked slowdown in green technology, labor productivity grew, even if it lagged behind the decade’s average. Importantly, extreme poverty rates in Africa halved compared to 2005 levels, indicating progress in socioeconomic development.
How African Countries Ranked in Global Innovation
The 2024 Global Innovation Index ranks African countries across income categories, providing a clear picture of the continent’s progress. In the low-income category, Rwanda, Madagascar, and Burundi are the top three performers globally. These countries have exceeded expectations, demonstrating that development constraints do not hinder innovation.
Other countries in the low-income category include Togo, Uganda, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, and Niger. Their innovation capabilities reflect the potential for economic growth despite financial challenges.
In the upper middle-income group, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Mauritius are leading innovators. These countries leverage stronger economic foundations to foster innovation, with South Africa and Mauritius standing out in the region.
The Top 10 Most Innovative African Countries in 2024
Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria, among others, are part of the lower middle-income group. Nigeria, for instance, ranked 113th globally and 12th in Africa, with strengths in human capital and business sophistication. Yet, its infrastructure and market sophistication need improvement to boost its overall innovation score.
Mauritius leads Africa’s innovation scene, securing 55th place globally with a score of 30.6. South Africa follows closely, ranking 69th globally. Botswana, Cabo Verde, Senegal, and Kenya also rank high on the continent, showcasing their commitment to growth through innovation. Below is a breakdown of Africa’s top 10 most innovative countries in 2024:
| Rank | Global Rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 | Mauritius | 30.6 |
| 2 | 69 | South Africa | 28.3 |
| 3 | 87 | Botswana | 23.1 |
| 4 | 90 | Cabo Verde | 22.3 |
| 5 | 92 | Senegal | 22.0 |
| 6 | 96 | Kenya | 21.0 |
| 7 | 101 | Ghana | 20.0 |
| 8 | 102 | Namibia | 20.0 |
| 9 | 104 | Rwanda | 19.7 |
| 10 | 110 | Madagascar | 17.9 |
Experts stress the link between innovation and economic growth. For African countries to climb higher on the innovation index, they need to focus on several key areas. One major recommendation is increasing funding for research and development (R&D). More support is also needed for entrepreneurial research within academic institutions.
Additionally, creating a business-friendly environment is crucial. Governments must provide infrastructure and policies that encourage enterprise development. This will enable businesses to thrive and contribute to higher innovation rankings.
