Publication: Knowledge, Technology, and Cluster-Based Growth in Africa
Date
2008
ISSN
Published
2008
Author(s)
Zeng, Douglas Zhihua
Abstract
Although Africa is falling behind in
today's global economic race, it holds pockets of vital
economic activity -- many in the form of enterprise clusters
scattered across the continent's countries and
industries. By clustering, enterprises are able to overcome
constraints in capital, skills, technology, and markets.
Enterprise clusters help their constituents grow and compete
by encouraging more effective knowledge and technology
diffusion and product specialization, leveraging local
comparative advantage, fostering production value chains,
and achieving collective efficiency. In so doing, they
contribute significantly to Africa's economic growth.
They provide jobs for the continent's growing
population, thus enabling families not only to survive, but
also to educate their children and perhaps move out of
poverty. But in today's increasingly
knowledge-intensive and globalized economy, these clusters
also face serious challenges in the areas of technology,
natural resources, infrastructure, skill acquisition, and
quality control. This book aims to provide an understanding
of how these dynamic enterprise clusters in Africa were
formed and have evolved, and how knowledge, human capital,
and technology have contributed to their success.
Citation
“Zeng, Douglas Zhihua. 2008. Knowledge, Technology, and Cluster-Based Growth in Africa. WBI Development Studies. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/6918 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”