The Role of Innovation in Achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa: A Systematic Review

Innovation has indeed become a crucial aspect of research discourse, particularly in the context of achieving sustainable development goals in Africa. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of innovation in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. This review aims to identify, categorise, and analyse the various types of innovations implemented in Africa to achieve the SDGs. The study employed a systematic search of pertinent databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, using pre-defined keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria as part of the methodology. The search was limited to peer-reviewed publications that specifically addressed the relationship between innovation and SDGs in the African context, such as reports, policy documents, and articles published between 2015 and 2023. The study results revealed that innovations in sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, and education have made significant contributions to achieving SDGs in Africa. However, obstacles, including restricted financial resources, poor infrastructure, and a dearth of enabling legislative frameworks, prevent creative ideas from being widely adopted and scaled. The review concludes that innovation is a critical driver for achieving the SDGs in Africa, but realizing its full potential requires tailored approaches that address context-specific challenges and foster enabling environments. To maximise the impact of innovation, the review recommends fostering an enabling environment by prioritising investments in innovation and entrepreneurship programs, engaging stakeholders, implementing supportive policies, and ensuring equitable access.