Title: Knowledge management as an enabler of change and innovation in Africa

Authors: Allam Ahmed, Sherine Ghoneim, Ronald Kim

Addresses: Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU), The Freeman Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QE, UK. ' Building 144/A – 3rd Floor, Smart Village, Cairo-Alex Desert Road, Giza, Egypt. ' The World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA

Abstract: In recent years, mainstreaming knowledge management practices in government processes has assumed increasing importance. How have governments in Africa, if at all, incorporated knowledge management in governance and how inclusive has this process been? This paper will attempt to answer these key questions by examining the experiences and lessons learned in efforts to build knowledge management capacity across Africa. In doing so, the paper will provide a summary of the key presentations of the latest two-day conference, Knowledge Management as an Enabler of Change and Innovation in Africa (Cairo, 2007). Central to discussions was the need to create an enabling environment encouraging the adoption of knowledge management practices in Africa and the utilisation of indigenous knowledge assets as an important input in poverty alleviation strategies. More importantly, the paper outlines the challenges that can be observed and what opportunities for building the Africa Knowledge System are available. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of strategic and policy implications of these findings for achieving sustainable development in Africa.

Keywords: knowledge management; innovation; Africa; information technology; communications; ICT; open access; strategy; policy; change enablers; sustainable development; sustainability; government processes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2009.021517

International Journal of Technology Management, 2009 Vol.45 No.1/2, pp.10 - 26

Published online: 30 Nov 2008 *

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