The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) report on the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2022 was released on Monday and ranks countries according to their state of global innovation.
Mauritius emerged as the most innovative economy in Africa, ranking 45th globally with a score of 34.4%, followed by South Africa (61st globally, 29.8% score), Botswana (86th globally, 23.9% score) , Kenya (88th in the world, 22.7% score) and Morocco (67th in the world, 28.8% score). Nigeria ranks 114th in the world and 13th in Africa with a rate of 16.9%.
With 30,300 registered businesses, Kenya is one of the largest mobile and digital media adopters on the continent.
WIPO notes that internet and digital penetration in Africa has grown to over 570 million internet users over the past 20 years, and with the launch of SpaceX’s Starlink and Google’s Equiano, the numbers are expected to increase further.
The Kenyan government has recognized cryptocurrencies as legitimate investments, and fintechs have been particularly successful in attracting venture capital funding, making them Africa’s fourth most innovative economy.
Botswana is a newcomer to the list, ranking third in Africa and 86th in the world with a rate of 23.9%. The country was ranked in multiple categories including Institutions, Human Capital, Research, Knowledge and Technological Production, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation.
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Although Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, it ranked low in the 2022 GII report with a share of just 16.9%, which placed it 114th in the world and 13th in Africa.
The country must focus on driving innovation to address the challenges facing its citizens and businesses, including entrepreneurship, food security, local food production, digital innovations for the future of work, and energy solutions.
The GII2022 report tracks the current state of global innovation and identifies areas where innovation is essential to fuel the creation of ideas, businesses and solutions that address the challenges faced by citizens, including supporting entrepreneurship, food security, local… Food production and digital innovation for the future of work and energy solutions.
WIPO notes that internet and digital penetration in Africa has grown to an estimated 570 million internet users over the past 20 years, thanks to innovations that have resulted in more than 1.2 million kilometers of internet cables deep in the ocean around the world.
She added that those numbers will continue to grow with the launch of SpaceX’s Starlink and Google’s Equiano to increase digital penetration on the continent.
