Enabling Innovation and Productivity Growth in Low Income Countries (EIP-LIC)’ - Country Report Uganda

Abstract

From 2013 to 2017, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) funded a research project on innovation and productivity growth with special reference to low income countries (LICs), implemented by Tilburg University and Radboud University Nijmegen. The project focused on understanding the factors, institutions, and policies that can increase business innovation and productivity growth, particularly in manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The research was organised within 2 thematic areas: ‘Innovation Systems’ and ‘Finance for Productivity Growth’. Research teams conducted the field work in 10 countries in Africa and Asia, including Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Various academic institutions and World Bank offices in these countries A key feature of the project is the combined quantitative and qualitative research approaches involving enterprise surveys, randomised control trials (RCTs) and case studies. The collection of original data resulted in a series of scientific papers, reports, policy briefs and open-access databases. The research output is targeted at academics in development research as well as at innovation policy makers within governments, businesses and development agencies, with a view to valorising research outcomes and promoting evidence-based policy making