South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya are the most- innovative countries in Sub-Saharan Africa according to the 2017 Global Innovation Index (GII), released last week and co-authored by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Each year, the GII surveys some 130 economies using dozens of metrics, from patent filings to education spending. The rankings “capture elements of the national economy that enable innovative activities” (such as human capital and research, infrastructure, and market sophistication) as well as “the results of innovative activities within the economy.”
In this latest edition, Kenya was ranked third most innovative in Sub-Saharan Africa and 80th overall out of 127 economies. Kenya was also listed among a group of nations including India and Viet Nam that are outperforming their development- level peers in Europe and South East Asia, East Asia and Oceania.
South Africa takes the top spot among all economies in the region (57th), followed by Mauritius (64th), Kenya (80th), Botswana (89th), the United Republic of Tanzania (96th), Namibia (97th), Rwanda (99th), and Senegal (100th). 
“Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Uganda, Malawi, Madagascar and Senegal stand out for being innovation achievers this year, and several times in the previous years. Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania become innovation achievers this year. Preserving and building upon this innovation momentum in Sub-Saharan Africa is now key.” read the report.
“Kenya, the chief innovation achiever in the region, has been credited as such every year since 2011—including in 2017.”
Table A shows the list of innovation achievers; particularly notable is the consistent progress in Sub-Sahara Africa, with some new economies, such as Tanzania and Burundi, joining this group. Importantly, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Mozambique, and Malawi stand out for being innovation achievers at least five times in the previous six years. 
Global Ranking
In 2017, Switzerland leads the rankings for the seventh consecutive year, with high-income economies taking 24 of the top 25 spots – China is the exception at 22. In 2016, China became the first-ever middle income economy in the top 25.
In 2017, Switzerland leads the rankings for the seventh consecutive year, with high-income economies taking 24 of the top 25 spots – China is the exception at 22. In 2016, China became the first-ever middle income economy in the top 25.
