Rwanda’s innovation challenges and policies – lessons for Africa

Pages550-561
Published date14 May 2018
Date14 May 2018
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-01-2017-0018
AuthorJean-Eric Aubert
Subject MatterInformation & knowledge management,Knowledge management,HR & organizational behaviour,Organizational structure/dynamics,Accounting & Finance,Accounting/accountancy,Behavioural accounting
Rwandas innovation challenges
and policies lessons for Africa
Jean-Eric Aubert
Fondation 2100, Paris, France
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline the S&T and innovation policy challenges that Rwanda is
experiencing in buildinga knowledge-basedeconomyand draw some more generallessons for Africancountries.
Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on methodological framework of country
reviews used by international organizations in the field of science, technology and innovation policies.
Findings The paper presents government policies that have been decisive for the good performance of the
country in rebuilding its economy and society since the genocide (1994). It highlights the policy measures that
have been taken in the fields of education, information and communication technologies, industry, science and
so on with a view to put the country on a knowledge-driven development process. It pinpoints the need for
more proactive policies to stimulate the diffusion of new technologies and innovationthroughout the economy
and the different sectors, including agriculture which employs still 80 percent of the population.
Research limitations/implications The paper is based on a short field mission (conducted for an
international organization) and the collection of published data, in focusing on important messages that
should be given to the government, without an in-depth empirical and detailed research.
Practical implications The paper is a kind of summary of a 80-page report to be published in the course
of 2017. It is expected that the analysis will be clear enough to stimulate appropriate action by the
Government of Rwanda.
Social implications There is no direct social implications, but one may expect that the ideas if adopted by
the government will help improving the living conditions in the country.
Originality/value Such country reviews performed by international organizations are unique. They
provide key insights on the innovation climate and policy of the nation that is studied, while they offer useful
perspectives for countries at similar level of development.
Keywords Africa, Innovation, Government policy, National cultures
Paper type Case study
The paper outlines the S&T and innovation policy challenges that Rwanda is
experiencing in building a knowledge-based economy and draws some more general
lessons for African countries.
The paper presents government policies that have been decisive for the good
performance of the country in rebuilding its economy and society since the genocide (1994).
It highlights the policy measures that have been taken in the fields of education, information
and communication technologies (ICT), industry, science and so on with a view to put the
country on a knowledge-driven development process. It pinpoints the need for more
proactive policies to stimulate the diffusion of new technologies and innovation throughout
the economy and the different sectors, including agriculture that employs still 80 percent of
the population.
Africa has experienced since two decades a remarkable economic growth, with a
significant reduction of poverty. Thanks to globalization, large foreign investments (notably
from China) and new technologies. The latter accompanied by organization and behavioral
change has led to all sorts of innovations that have transformed living conditions and
development prospects.
Journal of Intellectual Capital
Vol. 19 No. 3, 2018
pp. 550-561
© Emerald PublishingLimited
1469-1930
DOI 10.1108/JIC-01-2017-0018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/1469-1930.htm
This paper is based on a mission conducted for UNCTAD in Spring 2016 and contributing to a report
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Review, Rwanda published in 2017 (UNCTAD, 2017). The
author is indebted to Dimo Calovski for very useful exchanges of ideas.
550
JIC
19,3

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