A Framework for Assessing Technology Hubs in Africa

This article explains the importance of technology hubs as drivers of innovation, social change, and economic opportunity within and beyond the African continent. The article is the first to thoroughly review and synthesize findings from multi-disciplinary literature, and integrate insights from qualitative data gathered via interviews and fieldwork. It identifies three archetypes of hubs — clusters, companies, and countries — and discusses examples of each archetype using Kenya as a case study. The article discusses potential collaboration, conflicts, and competition among these archetypes of hubs, and concludes with recommendations for future researchers.

Keywords: High Technology Hub, Innovation Hub, Africa, Kenya, Co-working, Incubation, Accelerator, Makerspaces, Nairobi, Cluster, Company, Country, Mapping, Collaborative Innovation, Open Innovation

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

de Beer, Jeremy and Millar, Paula and Mwangi, Jacquelen and Nzomo, Victor and Rutenberg, Isaac, A Framework for Assessing Technology Hubs in Africa (March 26, 2017). NYU Journal of Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2017, Ottawa Faculty of Law Working Paper No. 2017-18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2929256