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Does Lack of Innovation and Absorptive Capacity Retard Economic Growth in Africa?

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  • Steve Onyeiwu

Abstract

This paper reviews the innovative capabilities and absorptive capacities of African countries, and investigates whether they have played significant roles in the region's slow and episodic economic growth. Results from cross-country regressions covering 31 Sub-Saharan African countries suggest that growth in Africa is not simply a question of capital accumulation, fertility rates, aid dependency, and stable macroeconomic environment. It is also about strengthening the capacity of African countries to assimilate and effectively use knowledge and technology.

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  • Steve Onyeiwu, 2011. "Does Lack of Innovation and Absorptive Capacity Retard Economic Growth in Africa?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2011-019, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2011-019
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2011-019.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Das, Gouranga Gopal, 2015. "Why some countries are slow in acquiring new technologies? A model of trade-led diffusion and absorption," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 65-91.

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