African Contextual Factors

Map and audit scale-up sectoral data, infrastructure (physical and digital) and projects/ activities within national frameworks of the larger, more established markets, and at the pan-African level.

Determine current gaps and potential future opportunities within these frameworks that can support scaling ventures.

Improve signposting so that scale-ups can access national resources and opportunities with reference guides.

In a participatory and ecosystem-led manner, develop a pan-African strategy, and national operational roadmaps for execution in the larger market territories.

Assess and consolidate ecosystem efforts in order to align them and improve synergy, eliminate duplication and reduce resource wastage.

Evaluate the feasibility of industry-led virtual catapult networks (specialist, networked, innovation centres), focused on key verticals, such as fintech, agri, climate, energy, health, and education.

Review, evaluate and build on existing open innovation strategic efforts at pan-African, regional and/or national levels.

Include effective implementation partnerships across scaling ventures, research agencies, universities, hubs, network partners and governments.

Programme outcomes need to be measurable, commercial, and sustainable.

Cross-cultural exchanges are designed for reciprocity (not one-way displacement).

Recalibrate existing activities based on mutual partnership respect and sustained, long-term value creation.

Programme approaches include both design and systems innovation.

Ensure public sector innovation competencies are suitably upweighted and knowledge shared widely across relevant institutions.