The word innovation has seen more frequent use across different spaces. While innovation is the process of creating or introducing new ideas, products and services, innovation for development holds a broader, more complex meaning. It involves the use of improved processes, technologies and services to create solutions that addresses global challenges and contributes to economic, social and ecological progress. In today’s evolving world, it is increasingly becoming a necessity, especially for developing countries, as harnessing innovation can be a game-changer in resolving issues relating to poverty, inequality and climate change.
Innovation for development is more than science. The concept goes beyond scientific breakthroughs to include entrepreneurship and enterprise development, smart systems, policy innovations and grassroot solutions that will empower communities.
The demand is pressing for Africa, even more so, Nigeria that has relied on traditional development models until now. While these models brought some level of change, they have struggled to create a widespread impact but by leveraging AI and technology, data, smart business models and entrepreneurship, Nigeria can level up outdated systems to build a more inclusive and resilient society.
It is for this reason that UNDP’S INNOVATION CENTER anchors its strategic priorities on the INNOVATION, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY(IDIKE) portfolio, through which it is working to achieve the following –
- Drive innovation for development by setting the ground for technology adoption and digital transformation.
- Accelerate the scaling of innovative solutions to development challenges, emphasizing real-world impact and business growth.
- Provide cutting-edge technical support for data-driven development cooperation & tech-enabled service delivery.
- Serve as a premier aggregator for innovators, startups, academic institutions, entrepreneurs and policy makers – fostering an inclusive, collaborative innovation ecosystem
- Leverage Lagos as Nigeria’s innovation powerhouse to propel digital transformation and entrepreneurship at scale
- Integrate forward-thinking innovation approaches into UNDP’s programmatic offers.
While the Innovation Center continues to play a catalytic role in enhancing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, the truth remains – it cannot do it alone. Beyond propelling digital transformation and technology adoption, there’s need for partnerships and collaboration across board to rethink systems that will create an enabling environment, mobilize resources to support innovation and entrepreneurship, sustain advocacy towards the development of policies and regulatory incentives that will foster economic growth, job creation and social impact.
The challenge is to ensure that innovation remains inclusive, impactful and scalable, leaving no one behind.
Leave A Comment