Innovating for Sustainable, Reliable and Adequate Electricity Supplies in Nigeria and South Africa

Abstract

This research sought to determine the most readily available modes of innovation in South Africa and Nigeria to exploit both conventional and renewable energy sources, in order to generate adequate and reliable electricity as part of meeting sustainable development objectives. The research analysed a variety of documents and made two important findings. First, the two countries’ innovation abilities lag those of competing economies, most notable China. Second, despite limitations, both countries have exhibited innovation abilities that can be applied to increase the supply of sustainable, adequate and reliable electricity. The study concludes that, despite limited capacity to innovate at the technology frontier, both countries could alternatively exploit adaptation and commercial scale-up innovation modes to drive their sustainable development agendas.