From research growth to economic impact

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 Association of Commonwealth Universities (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 Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa to explore the connections between university research and industry, the internationalisation of research and how collaboration maps to different industries and sectors. The white paper examine:  

• 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. 

Download the paper to explore industry academic partnerships across Sub-Saharan Africa.