SOAS Research Online

Abstract

To overcome major global challenges such as COVID-19, rising inequality, and the climate crisis, serious efforts are needed to build innovation and technological capacity, quickly diffuse technological know-how, and extensively expand productive capacity in low and middle-income countries. In short, a new international accord on innovation diffusion and technological capacity should be created. Such an accord could lay the groundwork for a more equitable COVID-19 recovery, leveling the global economic playing field and supporting Africa’s technological industrial revolution. Recent research on innovation systems in low, middle, and high-income countries shows how it can be done.