Review of the Policy & Institutional Landscape for Eco-Innovation in Africa

Project Duration: February 2020 to October 2020
Grantor: Lancaster University, UK
Principal Investigator: Dr. Nicholas Ozor
Contact Email: executivedirector@atpsnet.org
Grant Amount: £ 88,000

Project Description/Background

Garnering supports and legitimacy for programs and initiatives run in Africa from regional and national governments could undoubtedly lead to ownership, high visibility, success, and sustainability of such programs and initiative. However, the process of engaging with these high-level bodies and governments is not straightforward. It requires strong champions who have established longstanding relationships both formally and informally with these governments to achieve the desired objectives.

This study will review and analyse existing policies and institutions related to eco-innovation development in the six RECIRCULATE participating countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Botswana, and Zambia with a view to understand what works (successes), what does not work (failures) and why (reasons for successes or failures).

Through this study, gaps in policies could be identified and recommendations made to the respective governments for change. Such change could also be advocated for deliberately depending on mandate and resources. Again, institutions responsible for eco-innovation will be mapped to understand the actors, roles, linkages, and contexts that will lead to overall sustainability of eco-innovation in these countries.

Key Objectives and Activities

Review and analyse existing policies and institutions related to eco-innovation development in the six RECIRCULATE participating countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Botswana, and Zambia.
Conduct a high-level policy dialogue aimed at creating a platform for interactions among selected senior policymakers from the six RECIRCULATE countries to share their experiences, lessons as well as learn from each other on aspects of eco-innovation in their respective countries.

Our Approach

To carry out this study, we propose to adopt three approaches to ensure robustness in the study. These approaches include:

Desk research: A comprehensive desk study will be conducted to establish the statuses of eco-innovation in the participating countries in terms of existing or related policies, institutions and frameworks. Policy documents and grey literature will be reviewed and analysed. Institutions responsible for the promotion of eco-innovation in the respective countries will be identified and mapped to help in targeting further interventions in the countries.
Key Informant interviews: Based on the analyses from the desk research, relevant actors and institutions responsible for eco-innovation development in the participating countries will be interviewed to obtain in-depth information on the subject matter.
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): FGDs will be organized in the six countries to triangulate the data and information obtained from both desk research and key informant interviews.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables

A comprehensive report on policy and institutional landscape of eco-innovation in the six African countries
Policy brief on policy landscape around eco-innovation in the study areas
Policy brief on institutional landscape around eco-innovation in the study areas
Coordination of senior policy maker meeting
Proceedings of senior policy maker meeting
Communiqué on the agreements reached in support of eco-innovation by the six countries
One policy brief from senior policy maker meeting

Expected Outcome

The evidence generated from the RECIRCULATE research activities could be used to inform policy change which the policymakers may be interested to follow up on.

Project Outputs

The Policy and Institutional Landscape for Eco-Innovation in Selected African Countries
Institutional Landscape for Eco-innovation Development in Africa; ATPS Technopolicy Brief No.60
Eco-innovation Policies for Sustainable Development in Africa; ATPS Technopolicy Brief No.61