Friday, 2 December 2011

Development drivers in Africa: Role of innovation

This paper argues that innovation in development is an additional factor underpinning Africa's development and that it is important to see how pro-poor innovation can further contribute to resolving the remaining challenges. There are a number of policies that can be put in place to support innovation and employment creation. Supporting creation of jobs for young people needs to be looked at in the long term and in the short term. In the long term countries need to generate sufficient economic growth that creates jobs in large numbers to absorb the growing number of youth. This requires stable countries where the domestic and foreign private sector can invest.


In the short term innovative approaches can support immediate job creation. Activities such as partnering young people with skilled experts in large scale public works and infrastructure programs can speed up innovation and learning in the construction sector. Bringing in skilled and competent people to mentor and develop young people in the service sector can generate jobs and innovative approaches to tap into the tourism market. For example tourist guides who understand ecosystems and animal behavior from traditional practice can be paired up with youth who have been trained in biology and anthropology to bring in excitement and innovation in the tourism guide sector.

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