Research output across Sub-Saharan Africa is growing, but the systems needed to translate that research into economic and societal value are not developing at the same pace.
Produced by Times Higher Education in partnership with the ACU, with data support from Digital Science, this white paper examines how universities across Sub-Saharan Africa are working with industry, how these partnerships are developing, and their role in supporting innovation, economic development and wider societal value.
Using THE’s World University Rankings data and contributions from Digital Science, the white paper brings together data, country analysis and institutional case studies from ACU member universities in four different countries to explore the connections between university research and industry, the internationalisation of research and how collaboration maps to different industries and sectors. Case studies include Ghana (University of Ghana, KNUST) , Kenya (the University of Nairobi, Aga Khan University Kenya), Nigeria (UNILAG, Covenant University) and South Africa (University of Cape Town, University of Witswatersrand).
The white paper examines:
- How connected Sub-Saharan African universities are to industry
- Which industries are working with universities to co-develop research and patents
- Research industry collaboration across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa
- Co-authorship, citation and income data
- Financing for industry academic collaboration
- The systems and approaches supporting further research industry integration
- Case studies from eight ACU member universities, highlighting how institutions are translating research through research contracting, technology transfer, incubation and public health.
What comes next?
- Publication of the white paper is not the end of this work. The findings will help inform the next phase of the ACU’s Higher Education Taskforce and our work to strengthen sustainable and inclusive research ecosystems across the Commonwealth.
- Building stronger connections between universities, industry and government will remain an important part of this agenda. We will use the evidence and examples captured in the paper to convene members and partners around practical questions of how universities can strengthen pathways from research to impact, build institutional capacity for industry engagement, diversify research funding and develop partnerships that respond to national and regional priorities.
- Through our network, the ACU will continue to create opportunities for universities to share practice, build partnerships, and engage with industry, policymakers and funders, helping translate research strength into wider economic and societal value.