Energy innovation is a critical impetus for developing an economy. Furthermore, South Africa, in particular, aspires to inclusive and sustainable development through the lens of science, technology and innovation (STI). It is intended to be inclusive in that participation in the supply and demand side is demographically representative. It is also to be sustainable in that consideration should be given to a balance among economic, social, and environmental factors. However, while the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has long identified energy innovation among its STI priorities for growing the South African economy, the whole-of-government approach advocated for in its Decadal Plan requires that the innovation imperative be robustly adopted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). To inform a much-needed synthesis between the policies of both agencies, which intersects around energy innovation, we conceptualise a value chain-informed energy innovation system framework based on input, output, and outcome indicators. By considering and applying this framework as part of the implementation of the Decadal Plan, energy innovation could contribute more meaningfully to the National Development Plan (NDP), and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as some of the perennial challenges associated with the sustainable production, widespread distribution, equitable and efficient use of energy in South Africa.

This study examined the adoption and efficiency level of improved charcoal stoves among peri-urban households, using data from randomly selected 143 sampled households in Osun State, Nigeria. The result revealed Improved Charcoal stoves had some level of awareness and satisfaction compared to traditional charcoal stove. The age of the household head was a marginally significant factor (P is slightly < 0.05) influencing the probability of the adoption of ICS. The years spent in school (P < 0.05) was found as a factor that significantly influenced the adoption of ICS, as household heads with more years of schooling were significantly more likely to adopt or use ICS. The monthly energy expenditure (P < 0.05) was also strongly and significantly associated with higher likelihood of ICS adoption or efficiency. This suggests that households willing to invest more in energy-saving technologies are more likely to adopt ICS and find it efficient. Being a member of a cooperative society was also found to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of ICS adoption or efficiency as cooperative membership provides access to information and resources that promote ICS adoption. Promoting education, financial incentives, cooperative membership and charcoal availability become necessary for using clean cooking technologies among households.

Purpose - A new era in entrepreneurship is being ushered in by digital technologies, one in which questioning and refashioning conventional methods and forms of seeking entrepreneurial opportunities. The purpose of this research agenda and the theoretical questions it raises are to highlight the importance of digital entrepreneurship and provide directions for future research. Thus, this study investigated the determinants of digital entrepreneurial intentions among social science students at the University of Lagos. An integrated model was developed that combined factors from the theory of planned behaviour (attitude, social norms, and perceived behavioural control), family background, digital educational support, and digital literacy to explain determinants of digital entrepreneurial intentions among social science students in the University of Lagos.

Design/ methodology / Approach - The study is based on data collected from a questionnaire survey completed by social sciences undergraduates. The random sampling was used to sample 187 students from the specified sampling frame. The model was tested using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression approach, whereas the hypotheses and research questions were tested using the t-test.

Findings - The findings revealed that all six independent variables- Family background, Attitude towards entrepreneurship, perceived behavioural control, Subjective norm, Digital educational support, and Digital literacy – positively affect digital entrepreneurial intentions. However, only Attitude towards entrepreneurship, Digital educational support, and digital literacy are significant in determining Digital entrepreneurial intention at a 5% level of significance. The findings underscore the importance of digital entrepreneurial policies and programs aimed at encouraging young people to embark on entrepreneurial activities.

The increasing cost of orthodox veterinary services calls for the use of alternative healthcare practices in livestock production, which is affordable, easy to access, environmentally friendly and sustainable. This study examined the potentials of indigenous knowledge and practices for the treatment and management of small ruminants in Niger State, Nigeria. The study adopted a longitudinal survey and experimental research design. The population for the study comprised all farming households that keep small ruminants in Niger State. Data were collected through a three-stage sampling procedure using a structured interview schedule and an observational template from 240 farmers while the experiment comprised of 20 male goats infested with helminthes treated with Khaya senegalensis in a Complete Randomized Design over a four-month period. Data collected were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, ANOVA, Dominance Analysis and Marginal Analysis. The findings of the study were that: indigenous knowledge and innovation were effectively practiced for the treatment of diarrhoea (69.5%), ecto-parasites (73.9%), helminthosis (81.2%), bloat (42.0%), retained placenta (23.2%), respiratory problem (17.4%), wound (16.0%), and snake bite (14.5%). The result of the study further revealed that utilization indigenous knowledge and practices of farmers increased the returns to small ruminant production by N63,580.25($152.03)/Tropical Livestock Unit/cycle, the marginal rate of return was N3.74($0.01). The study concluded that the use of indigenous knowledge and innovation system increased returns to small ruminant production. The study recommended that there should be sensitization and training of livestock keepers by appropriate agencies such as the ministry of agriculture on the need to preserve their indigenous knowledge and the medicinal plants species in their communities, with the aim of combining and alternating the usage of conventional and indigenous practices.

The potential of innovation to drive societal and sustainability goals has been widely acknowledged. Over the past decade Science Technology Innovation (STI) policy was called upon to tackle Grand Challenges, as articulated in the Lund Declaration of 2009. Subsequently call for a transformative policy arose demanding reframing of STI policies, questioning its direction and ‘fitness of purpose’. This call demands time-intensive, participatory and inclusive processes in policy formulation for directional innovation. However, transformation literature is ominously silent on how to disrupt incumbent policy path-dependencies and shift the innovation policy paradigm in achieving this change. This paper addresses this research gap with insights gained from the policy narrative literature and a case study of Finland’s transition to Circular Economy.

The influence of narratives on human decision-making is well understood in the narrative literature. The policy literature has acknowledged the power of narratives as a potential tool for policy change. The narrative-policy literature has explored how concept-coalitions employ narrative power to reframe policy. Yet, none of them explain how coalitions achieve this fete through narrative change.

From a case study of Finland’s Circular Economy transition and through a review of academic and non-academic grey literature we draw principles and practical lessons on narrative shift for policy change. This paper presents an ‘access and manoeuvring strategy’ for narrative-led policy change involving a set of ‘entry-points’ and ‘tactics.’ Strategic entry-points aid in coalition-building and serve as spaces for shaping public opinion. Coalitions employ tactics such as monitoring of opinion-change, identifying counter narratives and dismantling the assumptions that the counter narrative depends on for manoeuvring collective opinion to the desired direction. The paper demonstrates how this access and manoeuvring strategy can provide options for policy shift for transformation. Even though the case study is on a developed country the insights drawn are universally applicable and especially useful for the global southern countries deficient in innovation policies and coordination mechanisms.

Reducing climate vulnerability remains a global challenge. However, most developing countries and African countries in particular, are more vulnerable to climate change. Technological innovation, which is proving its worth in developed countries, can help reduce this climate vulnerability. The aim of this study is therefore to analyze the effect of technological innovation on climate vulnerability in a sample of 32 African countries over the period from 1995 to 2020. We combine different identification strategies and the following results are established. First, using driscoll and kray and two step system generalized method of moment, we find evidence that technological innovation reduce climate vulnerability. Second, we show that the effect of technological innovation is heterogeneous to the level of income. More specifically, we show that while technological innovation reduce climate vulnerability in high income countries, it is not the case of lower income countries. Third, the effect of technological innovation on climate vulnerability varies according to the evolution of climatic vulnerability. Fourth we find that the quality of institutions reduce the good effects of technological innovation on climate vulnerability. African economies would therefore benefit from boosting technological innovation and improving their institutional frameworks to reduce their vulnerability to climate change

It is evident that climate innovation is significant to transition from high carbon emitting to zero carbon emitting electricity generation in the power sector to achieve the net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goal by 2050. Globally, solar PV technology is a leading climate technology innovation driving the energy sector to reach climate neutrality, but little is known about the factors that influences the adoption in Nigeria. The main purpose of this study was to identify the factors to influence households interest in solar PV technology in Lagos state to advance the progress of the adoption in Nigeria. Quantitative survey research design with multi stage, purposive, simple random and snowballing sampling techniques were employed. A total of 585 valid responses comprising of 230 adopters and 355 potential adopters were analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 3.0. Built on diffusion of innovation theory the study revealed that consumer independent judgment making, observability, complexity, trust in PV industry, trust in social network and social curiosity had significant influence on household interest in solar PV technology adoption. The research concludes that the factors of innovativeness, characteristics of the innovation, communication channels and the mediator, social curiosity stimulated interest in solar PV adoption in Lagos state. The implications of the findings are formulating of public policies that will promote adoption and the development of marketing strategies for solar PV technology.

This paper examined the gender differences in the determinants of innovation performance among male and female-owned enterprises in Nigeria’s informal sector. This is based on the assumption that the needs, concern and resources available to male and female business owners in the informal sector are different. Using a binary logit model, and other post-estimation analysis, the study uses data from about 1800 enterprises in four main activities in the informal sector - metal fabrication, shea butter production, ICT (phone repair) and leather works to explore the gender differences on innovation performance. To explore further nuances, the study assessed the contingency impacts of gender and education, industry association, and use of social media on innovation performance. The study found gender differences in innovation implemented by male and female-owned enterprises. However, the study found male-owned enterprises to be more innovative than female-owned in cases of product innovation. While educated male-entrepreneurs have higher likelihood of introducing product innovations, education, measured by completion of diploma or having certifications was found to more impactful on female-owned businesses. Similarly, male-owned firms leveraging on industry associations have more likelihood of implementing product innovations. More importantly, industry associations have a greater impact on the likelihood of implementing product innovations by male-owned firms.

The study examined the forms of technology alliances in the bakery industry in Osun State, Nigeria and assessed the effect of technology alliance on the performance of the bakery industry. The study was carried out in Osun State located in the Southwest area of Nigeria. The target population for the study consists of indigenous bakeries. Primary data were collected from 120 bakery owners in selected towns namely Oshogbo, Ile Ife and Ilesha using snowball technique and administered questionnaire. The reason for this is that the major producers of bread in the state are located in these cities. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

It was revealed that 83.3% of the 120 respondents engaged in alliances with people of related business and 48.4% alliance through their business group, 41.7% also had collaborations with a particular supplier of the raw materials while 16.7% engaged in technical alliance with similar business owner. Equipment leasing type of alliance was 10.8%. The study concluded there is an existence of technology alliance within the indigenous bakeries in the study area. Also, the alliances were very beneficial to the indigenous bakeries and led to increase in sales of the enterprises.

This paper explores the key characteristics and attributes of women undertaking Hi-technology entrepreneurship within the fast rising 4th industrial revolution in Africa. Based on a narrative inquiry into the lived experiences of 12 female participants in selected marker spaces in Johannesburg and Nairobi, the findings highlight how these women leverage on their natural attributes, combined with a variety of rhetoric strategies and managerial competencies to gain legitimacy and overcome structural barriers and constraints they face in transformative innovation, in order to succefully exploit their entrepreneurial potential. The paper contributes towards the growing literature on gender and innovation and could guide strategic policy interventions towards enhancing the participation of women in fast rising the 4th industrial revolution.