Digital Transformation
Innovation is increasingly digital in nature. For this reason, many African countries have championed the opportunities available from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Digital technologies have the possibility to transform the continent, assisting Africa to respond to challenges ranging from financial inclusion to climate change and healthcare. While these advancements offer immense potential, ensuring digital innovation addresses associated risks, inequalities, and digital divides must be considered. This challenge area addresses these complexities looking into issues of regulation, access and the digital divide amongst others.
Current Projects
Past Projects
Firm-level survey on frontier technology adoption in South Africa
Project Information:
Duration: 2020-2021
Funder: 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg’s 欧美福利100000 Research Committee grant
Status: Completed
Description:
The adoption of frontier technologies in South African industries remains under-documented, creating a gap in data that limits the effectiveness of policy responses, particularly in the context of accelerated digitalization during the pandemic. To address this deficiency, the Trilateral Chair has spearheaded a detailed survey assessing the uptake and implementation of cutting-edge technologies among South African firms.
This initiative aligns with similar efforts supported by in Ghana and Tunisia, aiming to harmonize regional data and insights. The overarching goal of this project is to furnish policymakers with robust, actionable data to craft informed, effective technology policies and strategies that can drive innovation and competitive advantage within the national economy.
Research Team:
Principal Investigator: Prof. Erika Kraemer-Mbula
Researchers: Prof. Edward Lorenz, Dr. Sibusiso Manzini
Collaborators: (George Essegbey), Adel (Tunisia), Clovis ()
Research Outputs:
Research Report:
UNCTAD Report:
Enhancing South Africa鈥檚 Emerging Technologies鈥� Innovation Ecosystem
Project Information:
Duration: 2023
Funder: The Research and Innovation Systems for Africa
Description:
This project explored the potential of Emerging Digital Technologies (EDTs) and X-Data to address socio-economic challenges in Kenya and South Africa. It identified barriers and gaps in X-Data usage, emphasizing the need for supportive systems and social integration to fully exploit EDT applications.
The project built capacity among researchers, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and policymakers while supporting multi-disciplinary teams in developing EDT/X-Data-based applications.
Research Team:
Principal Investigators: Prof. Rebecca Hanlin, Prof. Madara Ogot
Research Assistant: Wandile Kelly Mlilo
Collaborators: , Ubuntunet Alliance
Research Outputs:
Policy Brief:
An Alternative Approach for Measuring Innovation
Project Information:
Duration: 2020-2021
Funder: 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg’s 欧美福利100000 Research Committee grant
Status: Completed
Description:
The Trilateral Chair collaborated with the Access to Knowledge for Development Center () and the in Kenya to develop a novel survey assessing innovation practices across SMEs in Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa. This initiative aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of localized innovation ecosystems and contribute to SME growth.
Research Team:
Principal Investigator: Prof. Erika Kraemer-Mbula
Collaborators: Prof. Nagla Rizk, Caroline Wanjiru Muchiri
Research Outputs:
Research Report: Measuring Informal Innovation Activity in Africa鈥檚 SMEs
Emerging Technologies in South Africa: A Landscape Analysis
Project Information:
Duration: 2022-2023
Funder: UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
Status: Completed
Description:
The Chair analysed and mapped emerging technology ecosystems in South Africa. The study identified enabling factors, risks, and governance opportunities, resulting in recommendations for developing technology-specific roadmaps.
Research Team:
Principal Investigator: Prof. Rebecca Hanlin
Researchers: Dr. Calory Onyango, Dr. Lebogang Semenya, Amanda-Leigh O鈥機onnell, Robyn Williams, Dr. Maty Konte, Dr. Cyrielle Gaglio
Research Outputs:
Research Report: Emerging Technologies in South Africa: A Landscape Analysis