Leveraging Innovation and Global Value Chains Participation for Industrialisation: An Agenda for Research in Africa
2025-03-06 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Online via Zoom, Kenya
This webinar examines the intricate relationship between innovation and Global Value Chain (GVC) participation, with a focus on Africa’s growing integration into global networks. It highlights the pivotal role of National Innovation Systems (NIS) in fostering technological advancement and the potential of GVCs to drive industrialisation across the continent. Despite challenges such as limited research and development (R&D) infrastructure, insufficient financing, and gaps in human capital, the study identifies opportunities for African nations to harness innovation to improve GVC participation and leverage GVCs for industrial growth.
Drawing on a systematic review of existing literature, the paper explores key themes at the intersection of innovation, GVCs, and industrialisation. It emphasises the importance of efforts from both governments and firms to achieve successful GVC integration. Strategic government interventions, such as coherent industrial policies and investments in high-quality infrastructure, are considered essential, while African firms are encouraged to adopt proactive approaches, including technology upgrades and export-oriented strategies, to enhance their competitiveness in global markets. The paper further advocates for cross-border collaboration and regional integration to strengthen innovation capabilities and support sustained economic development. Finally, it identifies priority areas for further research on innovation and GVC integration in Africa.
Keywords: Proactive innovation, Reactive innovation, Global Value Chains (GVCs), Industrialisation, Development, Research agenda, Africa.
Speaker

Prof. Oluseye Jegede
DHET-NRF SARChI Entrepreneurship Education, Department of Business Management, School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

How to register

If you are interested in attending the webinar, please register via this link or get in touch with Ms. Yvonne Gitu at Y.Gitu@acts-net.org for more details.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from AfricaLics Zoom account containing information about joining the webinar. Please ensure you add the invitation to your calendar.

AfricaLics Alumni Webinar: Pitching Research and Translating Research into Action
2025-03-27 15:00 - 16:45 (Africa/Nairobi)
Click here to register
The AfricaLics Alumni Webinar: Pitching Research and Translating research into Action, is a first-of-its-kind event, and the first alumni gathering in 2025. This webinar will feature two PhD students who will present their research and interact with selected policy makers and/or influencers in their field through engaging pitches as per the details below in the programme.
Following the research pitches and discussions, Dr. Kingiri will present some of her rich experience in research-based policy influencing and introduce a practical tool designed to help PhD students and researchers begin translating their academic work into real-world impact. This session will provide ideas on strategies for getting I&D research conducted by AfricaLics scholars into action. Attendees can expect an interactive and thought-provoking experience aimed at empowering researchers to drive change beyond academia.
The session will be moderated by Dr. Margrethe Holm Andersen, AfricaLics PhD coordinator, with long term experience from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aalborg University.
Discussants

Dr. Catherine Kilelu, Director of Communication, Outreach and Partnerships and a Senior Research Fellow in the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security (AFNS) Programme at ACTS.
Dr. Edward Martey , Head of Social Science and Biometry, CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute- Ghana and Agricultural and Applied Economist (Senior Research Scientist).

Programme:

Time 15:00-16:45 Hrs (EAT)
Proposed names
Responsible

Introduction
15:00 -15:10
Welcome & Introduction of programme and moderator
Mourine Chepkemoi

15:10- 15:30
Adeduntan Oluwaseyitan Segun-Olasanmi
Dynamics of Gender and Technology in the Cashew Nut Value: Chain in Southwestern Nigeria
Ann Numi
Agricultural Biotechnology Innovation System (ABIS): An Integrated Technological Innovation System (TIS) – Political Economy (PE) framework

Adeduntan Oluwaseitan Segun-Olasanmi – (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Ann Numi – (PhD student, JOOUST, Kenya)
Catherine Kilelu (ACTS)
Dr. Edward Martey (CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute)
All

15:30 – 15:50
Discussants
Reflect on the research presented and how it resonates with their experience and could influence policy making

15:50 – 16:00
Open Discussion session

16:00 – 16:25
Experience in getting research into action
Dr. Ann Kingiri

16:25 – 16:35
Reflections
All

16:35 – 16:40
Closure
Moderator
