I have always believed that universities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) hold untapped potential to drive sustainable development through innovation and entrepreneurship. As a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance and Accounting at the University of Nairobi, my academic journey has been shaped by my conviction and drive to understand how higher education institutions can become engines of inclusive growth within the continent.
My research focuses on entrepreneurial finance, innovation ecosystems, and sustainable development in SSA. The region is home to a youthful population and abundant resources, yet it faces persistent challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and limited industrial competitiveness. I believe that universities can play a pivotal role in addressing these issues by fostering entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems that are inclusive, collaborative, and contextually grounded.
Over the years, I have been involved in several projects that explore these themes, including the EU-funded Global Entrepreneurial Talent Management project and the UNAEUROPA-funded Green and Digital Transformation for MSMEs. Other projects are The AFRETEC grant on digital transformation of youth led SMEs and the British council grant under the Innovations for African Universities (IAU) programme, Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator Platform (YEAP). These experiences have reinforced my conviction that innovation ecosystems must be nurtured through partnerships—across academia, government, industry, civil society, and the environment.
Africa’s innovation future
My current research project, Entrepreneurial, Innovation, and Industry Linkage Ecosystems in Higher Education Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, seeks to benchmark and evaluate the effectiveness of these ecosystems. I use a mixed-methods approach to identify countries in SSA with established policies and frameworks, and to assess the role of universities in shaping these ecosystems.
Universities in SSA have initiated a range of initiatives such as entrepreneurship education, innovation hubs, science parks, hackathons and bootcamps but these efforts often operate in silos. My research investigates whether partnerships across these silos can truly enhance ecosystem competitiveness.
The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4- Quality Education, SDG 8 -Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 17- Partnerships for the Goals. By identifying best practices and policy implications, I hope to contribute to a more integrated and impactful innovation landscape in Africa.
Collaboration as a Catalyst for Change
The AfOx fellowship has been instrumental in shaping this research. Working closely with Professor Hellmann has provided invaluable mentorship and intellectual guidance. From our first meeting, he has been incredibly supportive and committed. During the fellowship I greatly benefitted from his humility and desire to collaborate across geographical and disciplinary boundaries. The fellowship has also given me access to Oxford’s extensive academic resources and networks. Visiting the University’s colleges and libraries has significantly influenced my research design, refining how I contextualised and developed my research methodology.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the AfOx programme has been the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships. Through joint seminars and networking sessions, I’ve become part of a vibrant Community of Practice with both Pan-African and global reach.
At the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, I’ve connected with faculty and researchers who share my interests. The Academic Director and Assistant Director at the Skoll Centre introduced me to collaborators and new research pathways that I hadn’t considered before. Through this network I plan to be an African champion for the annual Map the System Challenge.
Some of the connections have already borne fruit. I’ve successfully secured two edited book projects with Taylor and Francis Group, thanks to an introduction facilitated by Dr Janet Remmington. I’ve also begun exploring co-publishing opportunities with peers at Oxford, with access to high-impact publishing channels.
Shaping the future of entrepreneurial ecosystems
Looking ahead, I am excited about the potential of this research to inform policy and practice across the continent. By highlighting the role of universities as ecosystem enablers, I hope to inspire more coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable innovation efforts. SSA has the talent, the ideas, and the drive. What we need now is to strengthen the systems that support innovation—through collaboration, research, and shared vision.
Dr Duncan Elly Ochieng from the University of Nairobi, Kenya was an AfOx fellow based at the Saïd Business School, and was affiliated with Kellogg College at the University of Oxford.