Industrial innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa: the manufacturing sector in Nigeria☆

Abstract This paper presents the findings of a study on the innovative behaviour of over 50 firms in a Sub-Saharan African country, Nigeria. The study examines the engineering and agro-allied sectors and the nature of linkages they form with research and development institutions (RDIs). We found evidence of significant innovative activities, albeit of adaptive and incremental kinds. Linkages between firms and between firms and RDIs are mostly on an ad-hoc basis. Interaction remains fairly weak but developing. Firms innovate largely in response to materials constraints and scale bottlenecks. Poor physical and engineering infrastructure constitutes a particular constraint category shaping the rate of innovative activities.