Open Innovation Platform in

(South) Africa

August 2016

by Amatka (Pty) Ltd

Example 1 The Conversation Africa. The Conversation Africa launched as a pilot project in May 2015. It is an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public. Team of professional editors work with university and research institute experts to unlock their knowledge for use by the wider public. Access to independent, high quality, authenticated, explanatory journalism underpins a functioning democracy. The aim is to promote better understanding of current affairs and complex issues. And hopefully allow for a better quality of public discourse and conversation. Source: The Conversation Africa

Signal title: Open Innovation Platform – Viability in Africa

Description & what’s new? Many African governments speak highly about role of innovation and SMEs as necessities to

take Africa forward. High unemployment levels and lack of corporate employment opportunities also force people look opportunities in becoming entrepreneurs. Many NGOs and funds have invested a lot in creating a wide variety of actions around “innovation” yet concrete results – besides bunch of seminars, events and programmes – seem to be lacking. Many of them seem to be perhaps too ambitious and idealistic as innovations needed in Africa are more grass-root than abstract and general level of education low (i.e. shortage of skilled innovative local people). The challenge is to build something that yields at least some concrete, hands-on, results quickly. Additionally, in environment where shortage is more common than abundance, open sharing (of anything) may not be realistic.

Examples & references (1-3)

Industries: (choose one or more)

Arctic competencies & industries

Bioeconomy

Cleantech

Creative industries & design

Education & learning

Energy

Food and beverage

ICT & digitalization

Life Sciences, health & wellbeing

Manufacturing

Themes: (choose best) Business to People Advanced Manufacturing Health Strategy and Finance Emerging Markets Game Changers

Time to market Now 2-5 years 10 years

Maturity of the signal (weak signal vs. ongoing trend)

weak signal

Market area or country: 1. Rwanda, 2. South Africa, 3. Kenya

Keywords innovation, platform, data

Example 2 African Innovation Foundation. “Our areas of activity encompass innovative programs in the fields of access to technologies, law and governance, and social impact development. The Foundation seeks to establish co-operation platforms for institutions, investors and innovators, and to promote ideas to support them.” Source: African Innovation Foundation

Relevancy and impact for Finnish companies If developed towards finding partnerships

and joint opportunities (Finnish/European and African) relevant for SMEs

Context: Conflicting Interests, Complex Environments

Multicultural Africa, multicultural countries

About 2000 languages and 3000 tribes in Africa

South Africa as an example: 11 official languages, over 90% of people first and foremost identify themselves

with their heritage (Zulu, Afrikaans, English, Xhosa etc.) and only second (or third after region) as “South

African”

Ubuntu (one definition: "implies that everyone has different skills and strengths; people are not isolated, and

through mutual support they can help each other to complete themselves“) as a traditional philosophy supports

openness within (rural) communities

Westernized (often urban) areas are more individualistic and cliquey where there is shortage of everything and

information often means power

Existing innovation platforms are

country/city/sector specific

mostly aid-funded

presented as seminars, events (example: SA Innovation Summit) or programmes

lacking any kind of commercialization

General challenges with any kind of data in Africa

Not produced on time, not frequently produced, are of poor quality and are not accurate

Lack of an entrenched culture of data use

Censorship is more common and sharing information more uncommon, unless there is an evident

“rewarding return on information”

REQUIREMENTS

FOR

FINLAND

Only consider Africa with a proven (and

simplified) concept in this field.

Both inputs and outputs (rewards) have to be

concrete to motivate stakeholders.

CHALLENGES

The challenge in Africa is perhaps

not so much lack of ideas but

shortage of capital and execution

skills.

Culture of conflict and confrontation

rather than culture of collaboration.

Uncertainty and unpredictability of

African politics. Universities and

research institutions are in most

cases tied to politics and political

elite.

OPPORTUNITIES

International donors and African

governments are counting on tech

(STEM) and innovation as the “next

savior of Africa”.

Africans in general are very

entrepreneurial, yet often more solo

than team players.

.

Should Finland think (South) Africa as an Open

Innovation Platform Market?