Innovation and knowledge management in Africa
Allam Ahmed, University of Sussex, UKAbstract: In recent years, mainstreaming Knowledge Management (KM) practices in government processes has assumed increasing importance. How have governments in Africa, if at all, incorporated KM in governance and how inclusive has this process been? This chapter will attempt to answer these key questions by examining the experiences and lessons learned in efforts to build the KM capacity across Africa. In doing so, the chapter will provide a critical review of the key presentations of the latest major conference on Knowledge Management as an Enabler of Change and Innovation in Africa held in Cairo, Egypt (11–13 June 2007). Central to the discussions was the need to create an enabling environment encouraging the adoption of KM practices in Africa and the utilisation of indigenous knowledge assets as an important input in poverty alleviation strategies. More importantly, the chapter will outline the challenges that can be observed and what opportunities for building Africa’s knowledge system are available. Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of the strategic and policy implications of these findings for achieving sustainable development in Africa.
