This edited volume discusses the role of innovation and regional integration in economic development in Africa. Over the past five decades, post-colonial African countries have struggled to break loose from the trap of poverty and underdevelopment through the adoption of various development strategies at regional, national, and continental levels. However, the results of both national and regional efforts at advancing development on the continent have been mixed. Although the importance of agglomeration and fusion of institutions have long been recognized as possible path to achieving economic development in Africa, the approach to regionalism has been unduly focused on market integration, while neglecting other dimensions such as social policy, mobility of labor, educational policy, biotechnology, regional legislation, manufacturing, innovation, and science and technology. This volume investigates the link between innovation, regional integration, and development in Africa, arguing that the immediate and long term development of Africa lies not just in the structural transformation of its economies but in the advancement of scientific and innovation capacities. The book is divided into four parts. Part I addresses the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of innovation and regional integration in Africa. Part II presents case studies which examine how regional economic institutions are fostering innovation in Africa. Part III of the book deals with sectoral issues on innovation and integrated development in Africa. Part IV sets the future research on innovation, regional integration, and development in Africa. Combining theoretical analysis and a comparative, interdisciplinary approach, this volume is appropriate for researchers and students interested in economic development, political economy, African studies, international relations, agricultural science, and geography, as well as policymakers in regional economic communities and the African Union.

Engineering Design and Mathematical Modelling: Concepts and Applications consists of chapters that span the Engineering design and mathematical modelling domains. Engineering design and mathematical modelling are key tools/techniques in the Science, Technology and Innovation spheres. Whilst engineering design is concerned with the creation of functional innovative products and processes, mathematical modelling seeks to utilize mathematical principles and concepts to describe and control real world phenomena. Both of these can be useful tools for spurring and hastening progress in developing countries. They are also areas where Africa needs to ‘skill-up’ in order to build a technological base. The chapters in this book cover the relevant research trends in the fields of both engineering design and mathematical modelling. This book was originally published as a special issue of the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development.

Wealth and money, which are meant to be sources of human happiness and facilitators of good social relations has instead become a monstrosity beyond human control. The unbridled quest to make money and accumulate wealth as well as assign social signification on the basis of the outcome of individuals' efforts in the process has ended up distorting existence and the meaning of being human itself. This work brings together a collection of very provocative and challenging articles that confront the problems created by wealth. Can there be happiness when wealth is increasingly concentrated in fewer and fewer hands? Can wealth really bring happiness? And what are the implications of the current trend to commodify everything for the project of human happiness? The contributors to the volume argue that there is a need to change wealth accumulation and its core purpose. They contend that from wealth accumulation the gear must change to wealth alleviation, because the ways the rich become wealthy often correlate with the ways the number of the poor increase. Following from this, they argue that rather than the current focus on poverty alleviation, the focus should shift to wealth alleviation because a happy future for all lies in promoting human well-being and removing human ill-being through the spring wells of solidarity and humanity. ______ Professor Mammo Muchie was born in Ethiopia and educated until matriculation in Gonder. He did his graduate studies at Columbia University, USA and his Mphil and PhD degrees at Sussex University. Professor Muchie has taught and researched at various Universities including Cambridge University, and Amsterdam University in The Netherlands. He is currently Director of Research Centre on Development & International Relations, Aalborg University, Denmark. Li Xing was born in China, and holds a PhD in Development Studies and International Relations. Dr Xing has published profusely on global politics, international relations and development issues. His main research interest is on China and East Asia. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Research Centre for Development and International Relations, Aalborg University, Denmark.

Engineering Design and Mathematical Modelling: Concepts and Applications consists of chapters that span the Engineering design and mathematical modelling domains. Engineering design and mathematical modelling are key tools/techniques in the Science, Technology and Innovation spheres. Whilst engineering design is concerned with the creation of functional innovative products and processes, mathematical modelling seeks to utilize mathematical principles and concepts to describe and control real world phenomena. Both of these can be useful tools for spurring and hastening progress in developing countries. They are also areas where Africa needs to 'skill-up' in order to build a technological base. The chapters in this book cover the relevant research trends in the fields of both engineering design and mathematical modelling. This book was originally published as a special issue of the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development.

It is well documented that the space of informal economic activity is rising across the globe. This rise has been particularly significant in the least developed and developing countries, especially after the onset of neo-liberal policies and withdrawal of welfare state. There has also been a shift in academic thinking on informal sector, with attempts being made to understand the contribution of informal sector in generating employment and economic growth rather than focusing solely on exploitative labour conditions in these economic activities. Indeed, with the retreat of welfare state and the introduction of contract labour in the formal sector, many issues related to occupational hazards and improper labour conditions do not remain unique to the informal sectors of the economy, particularly in less developed countries. This volume addresses a specific concern: the issue of knowledge generation and innovative activities, which lies at the core of sustained competitive advantage of these activities. The chapters in this book were originally published in the African Journal of Science Technology Innovation and Development.

It is well documented that the space of informal economic activity is rising across the globe. This rise has been particularly significant in the least developed and developing countries, especially after the onset of neo-liberal policies and withdrawal of welfare state. There has also been a shift in academic thinking on informal sector, with attempts being made to understand the contribution of informal sector in generating employment and economic growth rather than focusing solely on exploitative labour conditions in these economic activities. Indeed, with the retreat of welfare state and the introduction of contract labour in the formal sector, many issues related to occupational hazards and improper labour conditions do not remain unique to the informal sectors of the economy, particularly in less developed countries. This volume addresses a specific concern: the issue of knowledge generation and innovative activities, which lies at the core of sustained competitive advantage of these activities. The chapters in this book were originally published in the African Journal of Science Technology Innovation and Development.

The term BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is gaining global attention both in scholarly and popular discourse. BRICS countries are crucial in terms of their vast areas, huge population and have massive economic potential. These countries are also categorized as developing countries and are aspiring to be considered as developed countries. There is commonality among these countries in that they have similar issues and problems, which may require common solutions. Science, Technology and Innovation in BRICS Countries examines whether more emphasis on Science Technology and Innovation (STI) capability building could be the solution to these countries' economic upgradation and poverty reduction. This book is a collection of various Science Technology and Innovation (STI) issues of BRICS economics, and will be of interest to general readers, scholars working in this field, as well as policy makers all over the globe. The contributions come from various scholars across the globe who have published their BRICS economics research in a special issue of the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development.

This edited volume discusses the role of innovation and regional integration in economic development in Africa. Over the past five decades, post-colonial African countries have struggled to break loose from the trap of poverty and underdevelopment through the adoption of various development strategies at regional, national, and continental levels. However, the results of both national and regional efforts at advancing development on the continent have been mixed. Although the importance of agglomeration and fusion of institutions have long been recognized as possible path to achieving economic development in Africa, the approach to regionalism has been unduly focused on market integration, while neglecting other dimensions such as social policy, mobility of labor, educational policy, biotechnology, regional legislation, manufacturing, innovation, and science and technology. This volume investigates the link between innovation, regional integration, and development in Africa, arguing that the immediate and long term development of Africa lies not just in the structural transformation of its economies but in the advancement of scientific and innovation capacities. The book is divided into four parts. Part I addresses the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of innovation and regional integration in Africa. Part II presents case studies which examine how regional economic institutions are fostering innovation in Africa. Part III of the book deals with sectoral issues on innovation and integrated development in Africa. Part IV sets the future research on innovation, regional integration, and development in Africa. Combining theoretical analysis and a comparative, interdisciplinary approach, this volume is appropriate for researchers and students interested in economic development, political economy, African studies, international relations, agricultural science, and geography, as well as policymakers in regional economic communities and the African Union.

AJSTID is a multi-disciplinary and refereed international journal on science, technology, innovation and development in Africa and other low-income countries. It was established in appreciation of the role and importance of innovation in the development processes and the recognition of the relative absence of research in this area in Africa. AJSTID encourages research along the following broad areas: a) The role of science, technology and innovation in the processes of industrial growth and development. b) The emergence and the making of innovation systems in the context of broader socio-economic development. c) Exploring the inclusion of innovation and knowledge in sub-national, regional, global and local innovation networks and cross border integration processes in Africa. d) Research on the interaction among governments, industries, businesses, universities and communities in the use and application of science, technology and innovation policies. e) Critiques of science, technology and innovation policies and their applications in Africa. f) Exploring core-evolutions, broad-based innovations and indigenous knowledge systems in the context of African development.

Since the final collapse of Somalia's repressive regime in 1991, Somalia has presented the world not only with the most profound case of state collapse witnessed in modern times but also with one of the most intriguing cases of political fragmentation, armed conflicts, lawlessness and statelessness. Inevitably the last 20 years of statelessness and chaos has left the Somali economy destitute and made Somalia to be ranked among the five poorest 'countries' in the world. Contributors to this volume examine efforts at reconstituting the failed Somali state and the role of the Somali Diaspora and civil society groups in the processes. They also analyse how the Somali Diaspora and civil society in Somalia engage and cooperate to further processes of state-reconstitution in Somalia as well as help the Somali Diaspora adjust in their host nations.