A comparative review of the national innovation framework in Africa: case study of Mauritius and South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26661/2522-1566/2025-3/33-13Keywords:
innovation, comparative review, innovation framework, excellence, economic growthAbstract
The current study analyses the National Innovation Frameworks adopted by two strong African economies, namely Mauritius and South Africa. These frameworks have been strategically developed to boost economic growth by fostering a culture rooted in innovation, creativity, and excellence. Recognising the increasing importance of knowledge-based economies, both countries have sought to position innovation at the core of their development agenda, ensuring long-term competitiveness in a globalised world. The study goes beyond a descriptive comparison by critically examining the overall justification for engaging in such innovation frameworks. It explores how innovation contributes not only to economic performance but also to addressing broader societal challenges such as employment creation, social inclusion, and sustainable development. In addition, the research develops a clear understanding of the contextual differences in the design and implementation of innovation approaches in Mauritius and South Africa, recognising that unique historical, institutional, and economic contexts influence their policy priorities and execution. A qualitative research approach is adopted, using a multi-case study method supported by directed content analysis. This methodology enables a systematic and in-depth exploration of the similarities and contrasts between the two national frameworks. The findings are highly relevant to policymakers, practitioners, and academics, as they shed light on the innovation pathways, drivers, and influences that can enhance economic growth and national resilience. The study also highlights the value of innovation-led strategies in enabling African economies to move up the global value chain and sustain long-term development.
JEL Classification: O31, O32, O38, O57
References
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Fetters, M. L., Greene, P. G., Rice, M. P., & Butler, J. S. (2010). The development of university-based entrepreneurship ecosystems. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.
Fidel, R. (1984). The case study method: A case study. Library and Information Science Research, 6(3), 273–288.
Geiger, R. L. (2004). Knowledge and money: Research universities and the paradox of the marketplace. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Gottoli, G., Neeliah, H., Peedoly, A., & Gopaul, N. (2011). Collaborative Mauritius: A case study of driving innovation. Mauritius Research Council. (Unpublished report).
Global Innovation Index. (2018). Global Innovation Index Report 2018. Cornell University, INSEAD & WIPO. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.globalinnovationindex.org
Hardin-Ramanan, S., Chang, V., & Issa, T. (2018). A green information technology governance model for large Mauritian companies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 488–497. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.04
Hart, T., Jacobs, P., Letty, B., Ramoroka, K., Mangqalaza, J., Mhula, A., & Ngwena, M. (2014). Promoting innovation for inclusive rural transformation in South Africa. Cape Town: Human Sciences Research Council.
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687
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Juma, C. (2016). Innovation and its enemies: Why people resist new technologies. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190467036
Kariuki, T. (2017, January). Africa’s future depends on its scientists: Time to stop the brain drain. World Economic Forum Agenda. Retrieved February 17, 2020, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/01/africa-s-future-depends-on-its-scientists-time-to-stop-the-brain-drain/
Kasseeah, H. (2013). Innovation and performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises: Evidence from Mauritius. Innovation and Development, 3(2), 259–275. https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2013.825069
Kamudu Applasawmy, B., Naugah, J., & Maulloo, A. K. (2017). Empowering teachers to teach science in the early years in Mauritius. Early Child Development and Care, 187(2), 261–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2016.1226354
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Ministry of Technology. (2017). Launch of the National Innovation Framework 2018–2030. Retrieved January 18, 2020, from https://www.myt.mu/sinformer/dossiers/actualites/515173/launch-of-the-national-innovation-framework-2018-2030-nbsp.html
NACI. (2017). STI Report. Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/27267/
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, B., & Sampath, P. G. (2006). Rough Road to Market: Institutional Barriers to Innovations in Africa. Maastricht: UNU-MERIT.
Potter, W. J., & Levine-Donnerstein, D. (1999). Rethinking validity and reliability in content analysis. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 27(3), 258–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909889909365539
Phiri, M. Z., Molotja, N., Makelane, H., Kupamupindi, T., & Ndinda, C. (2016). Inclusive innovation and inequality in South Africa: A case for transformative social policy. Innovation and Development, 6(1), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2015.1047112
Ramoroka, K. H., Jacobs, P., & Mangqalaza, H. (2014). Actor networks and innovation activities among rural enterprises in a South African locality. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 6(3), 185–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2014.940169
Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of innovations. New York: Free Press.
Romer, P. M. (1990). Endogenous technological change. Journal of Political Economy, 98(5), S71–S102. https://doi.org/10.1086/261725
Roopchund, R., & Ramlowat, D. (2019). Adapting the Mauritian higher education system for effective workforce development. Industry & Higher Education, 33(6), 414–424. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422219878384
Samuel, M. A. (2016). Values and purposes of a PhD: Comparative responses from South Africa and Mauritius. In Higher Education Forum, 13, 1–23. Hiroshima, Japan: Research Institute for Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.15027/39937
Schiliro, D. (2010). Investing in knowledge: Knowledge, human capital and institutions for long run growth. In M. J. Arentsen, W. Rossum, & A. E. Steenage (Eds.), Governance of Innovation (pp. 33–50). https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781000830.00009
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Tebaldi, E., & Mohan, R. (2008). Institutions-augmented Solow model and club convergence. Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive.
Tebaldi, E., & Elmslie, B. (2008a). Do institutions impact innovation? Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive.
Tebaldi, E., & Elmslie, B. (2008b). Institutions, innovation and economic growth. Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive.
Tikly, L., Joube, M., Barrett, A. M., Bainton, D., Cameron, L., & Doyle, H. (2018). Supporting secondary school STEM education for sustainable development in Africa. Bristol Working Papers in Education. Bristol: University of Bristol School of Education. Available from https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/education/documents/Supporting%20Secondary%20School%20STEM%20
Education%20for%20Sustainabale%20Development%20in%20Africa.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hamad, E. O., Savundranayagam, M. Y., Holmes, J. D., Kinsella, E. A., & Johnson, A. M. (2016). Toward a mixed-methods research approach to content analysis in the digital age: The combined content-analysis model and its applications to health care Twitter feeds. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(3), e60. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4368
Uexküll, V., Echandi, E., & Rojas, M. (2019). World Bank in Mauritius. World Bank Group. Retrieved November 20, 2019, from http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/415161568876900195/World-Bank-in-Mauritius
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development [UNCTAD]. (2015). Strengthening regional economic integration for Africa’s development. In Economic Development in Africa Report 2015. Geneva, Switzerland: UNCTAD.
Vannoorenberghe, G., & Voeten, J. (2016). Exports and innovation in emerging economies: firm-level evidence from South Africa. Policy brief for DFID / Tilburg University research: “Enabling Innovation and Productivity Growth in Low Income Countries (EIP-LIC)”, 1–4.
The World Bank. (2019). Mauritius overview. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/mauritius/overview.
Yusuf, S. (2008). Intermediating knowledge exchange between universities and businesses. Research Policy, 37(8), 1167–1174.
Zach, L. (2006). Using a multiple-case studies design to investigate the information-seeking behavior of arts administrators. Library Trends, 55(1), 4–21. https://doi.org/10.1353/lib.2006.0055
Akec, J. (2017). A framework for transforming African economies through university-led innovations. Africa Policy Journal, 13, 76–90. Retrieved from https://apj.hkspublications.org/a-framework-for-transforming-african-economies-through-university-led-innovations.
Creswell, J. W. (1998). Data collection. In Qualitative inquiry and research design (2nd ed., pp. 109–135). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Cunningham, P. (2015). Insights into open innovation and ICT entrepreneurship in Africa. In 2015 IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS) (pp. 1–8). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISTAS.2015.7439405
Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology [DACST]. (1996). The White Paper on Science and Technology. Government of South Africa. Retrieved July 15, 2019, from https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/
sciencetechnologywhitepaper.pdf
Farinha, L., Ferreira, J. J., & Nunes, S. (2018). Linking innovation and entrepreneurship to economic growth. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 28(4), 451–475. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-07-2016-0045 ScienceDirect+2ResearchGate+2
Fetters, M. L., Greene, P. G., Rice, M. P., & Butler, J. S. (2010). The development of university-based entrepreneurship ecosystems. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.
Fidel, R. (1984). The case study method: A case study. Library and Information Science Research, 6(3), 273–288.
Geiger, R. L. (2004). Knowledge and money: Research universities and the paradox of the marketplace. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Gottoli, G., Neeliah, H., Peedoly, A., & Gopaul, N. (2011). Collaborative Mauritius: A case study of driving innovation. Mauritius Research Council. (Unpublished report).
Global Innovation Index. (2018). Global Innovation Index Report 2018. Cornell University, INSEAD & WIPO. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.globalinnovationindex.org
Hardin-Ramanan, S., Chang, V., & Issa, T. (2018). A green information technology governance model for large Mauritian companies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 488–497. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.04
Hart, T., Jacobs, P., Letty, B., Ramoroka, K., Mangqalaza, J., Mhula, A., & Ngwena, M. (2014). Promoting innovation for inclusive rural transformation in South Africa. Cape Town: Human Sciences Research Council.
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687
Human Development Index. (2018). In Human Development Report 2018. United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved November 20, 2019, from http://hdr.undp.org/en/2018-update
Jackson, D. J. (2011). What is an innovation ecosystem? National Science Foundation. Retrieved December 10, 2019, from http://erc-assoc.org/sites/default/files/topics/policy_studies/DJackson_Innovation%20Ecosystem.pdf
Juma, C. (2016). Innovation and its enemies: Why people resist new technologies. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190467036
Kariuki, T. (2017, January). Africa’s future depends on its scientists: Time to stop the brain drain. World Economic Forum Agenda. Retrieved February 17, 2020, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/01/africa-s-future-depends-on-its-scientists-time-to-stop-the-brain-drain/
Kasseeah, H. (2013). Innovation and performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises: Evidence from Mauritius. Innovation and Development, 3(2), 259–275. https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2013.825069
Kamudu Applasawmy, B., Naugah, J., & Maulloo, A. K. (2017). Empowering teachers to teach science in the early years in Mauritius. Early Child Development and Care, 187(2), 261–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2016.1226354
Knutsen, R. D. (2004). Towards understanding the role of new materials in South African society (Report). Cape Town: University of Cape Town / HSRC.
Le Défi Mauritius. (2016). Foreign expertise: How far can Mauritius open itself? Le Défi Media. Retrieved February 24, 2020, from https://defimedia.info/foreign-expertise-how-far-can-mauritius-open-itself
Maulloo, A. K., & Naugah, B. J. (2017). Upper secondary education in Mauritius: A case study. Royal Society / Education policy document. Retrieved October 7, 2018, from https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/topics/education-skills/Broadening-the-curriculum/mauritius-case-study.pdf
Ministry of Technology. (2017). Launch of the National Innovation Framework 2018–2030. Retrieved January 18, 2020, from https://www.myt.mu/sinformer/dossiers/actualites/515173/launch-of-the-national-innovation-framework-2018-2030-nbsp.html
NACI. (2017). STI Report. Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/27267/
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, B., & Sampath, P. G. (2006). Rough Road to Market: Institutional Barriers to Innovations in Africa. Maastricht: UNU-MERIT.
Potter, W. J., & Levine-Donnerstein, D. (1999). Rethinking validity and reliability in content analysis. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 27(3), 258–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909889909365539
Phiri, M. Z., Molotja, N., Makelane, H., Kupamupindi, T., & Ndinda, C. (2016). Inclusive innovation and inequality in South Africa: A case for transformative social policy. Innovation and Development, 6(1), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2015.1047112
Ramoroka, K. H., Jacobs, P., & Mangqalaza, H. (2014). Actor networks and innovation activities among rural enterprises in a South African locality. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 6(3), 185–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2014.940169
Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of innovations. New York: Free Press.
Romer, P. M. (1990). Endogenous technological change. Journal of Political Economy, 98(5), S71–S102. https://doi.org/10.1086/261725
Roopchund, R., & Ramlowat, D. (2019). Adapting the Mauritian higher education system for effective workforce development. Industry & Higher Education, 33(6), 414–424. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422219878384
Samuel, M. A. (2016). Values and purposes of a PhD: Comparative responses from South Africa and Mauritius. In Higher Education Forum, 13, 1–23. Hiroshima, Japan: Research Institute for Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.15027/39937
Schiliro, D. (2010). Investing in knowledge: Knowledge, human capital and institutions for long run growth. In M. J. Arentsen, W. Rossum, & A. E. Steenage (Eds.), Governance of Innovation (pp. 33–50). https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781000830.00009
Scimago. (2018). Scimago country ranking. Retrieved February 5, 2020, from https://www.scimagojr.com/countryrank.php
Statistics Mauritius. (2020). Economic and social indicators of Mauritius. Retrieved March 15, 2020, from http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/Publications/Pages/all_esi.aspx
Tebaldi, E., & Mohan, R. (2008). Institutions-augmented Solow model and club convergence. Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive.
Tebaldi, E., & Elmslie, B. (2008a). Do institutions impact innovation? Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive.
Tebaldi, E., & Elmslie, B. (2008b). Institutions, innovation and economic growth. Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive.
Tikly, L., Joube, M., Barrett, A. M., Bainton, D., Cameron, L., & Doyle, H. (2018). Supporting secondary school STEM education for sustainable development in Africa. Bristol Working Papers in Education. Bristol: University of Bristol School of Education. Available from https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/education/documents/Supporting%20Secondary%20School%20STEM%20
Education%20for%20Sustainabale%20Development%20in%20Africa.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hamad, E. O., Savundranayagam, M. Y., Holmes, J. D., Kinsella, E. A., & Johnson, A. M. (2016). Toward a mixed-methods research approach to content analysis in the digital age: The combined content-analysis model and its applications to health care Twitter feeds. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(3), e60. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4368
Uexküll, V., Echandi, E., & Rojas, M. (2019). World Bank in Mauritius. World Bank Group. Retrieved November 20, 2019, from http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/415161568876900195/World-Bank-in-Mauritius
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development [UNCTAD]. (2015). Strengthening regional economic integration for Africa’s development. In Economic Development in Africa Report 2015. Geneva, Switzerland: UNCTAD.
Vannoorenberghe, G., & Voeten, J. (2016). Exports and innovation in emerging economies: firm-level evidence from South Africa. Policy brief for DFID / Tilburg University research: “Enabling Innovation and Productivity Growth in Low Income Countries (EIP-LIC)”, 1–4.
The World Bank. (2019). Mauritius overview. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/mauritius/overview.
Yusuf, S. (2008). Intermediating knowledge exchange between universities and businesses. Research Policy, 37(8), 1167–1174.
Zach, L. (2006). Using a multiple-case studies design to investigate the information-seeking behavior of arts administrators. Library Trends, 55(1), 4–21. https://doi.org/10.1353/lib.2006.0055
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Published
2025-10-20
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Entrepreneurship, Trade and Exchange Activities
How to Cite
Roopchund, R. (2025) “A comparative review of the national innovation framework in Africa: case study of Mauritius and South Africa”, Management and Entrepreneurship: Trends of Development, 3(33), pp. 162–177. doi:10.26661/2522-1566/2025-3/33-13.
