GE forum identifies multinationals, SMEs as drivers of innovation
The President and CEO, GE Africa, Farid Fezoua has identified Innovation and Technology as two fundamental ingredients to Africa’s quest for development and to compete favorably in the global framework.
Fezoua, in an opening remark at the formal unveiling of GE Global’s 2018 Innovation and Barometer Report in Lagos also observed that effort should be geared towards developing a home grown solutions for Africa, because, according to him, “ innovation needs to be tailored to the specificities of local needs.
According to the GE Global Innovation Barometer Reports, Multinationals and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were also identified as key drivers of innovation in the Nigerian environment.
The report entitled ‘From chaos to confidence: Emerging players, emerging technologies, emerging challenges,’ said that out of the 80 Nigerian business executives surveyed, 36 per cent of them said multinationals drive innovation compared to the global figure of 23 per cent.
The report, which explores how Nigerian business leaders perceive the barriers to and opportunities for innovation in the country, was unveiled at a forum held at GE Nigeria’s headquarters as part of events celebrating GE being in Africa for over 120 years.
Findings from the study indicated that 23 per cent of the executives believed that SMEs contribute significantly to innovation against the global figure by 12 percentage points.
“One in two Nigerian business executives see the benefits of protectionist policies (51 per cent), while 49 per cent of business executives believe these policies would have a negative impact on innovation in the country,” it said.
The study indicated that business executives who favour protectionism do it for business reasons, while almost three in four business executives think that government was not driving innovation and was unable to keep up with the pace of innovation. The Nigeria Report is part of the Global Innovation Barometer that surveyed 2,090 business executives across 20 countries. This is the sixth edition of the survey since 2010.
One of the findings of the report, which was presented by the Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer, GE Africa, Patricia Obozuwa, showed that attitudes towards 3D printing were positive in Nigeria and almost nine in ten business executives (88 per cent) believed 3D printing would have a positive impact on businesses.
In his keynote speech, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Mrs. Folasade Jaji, said, “Through its activities, GE has supported economic growth in Africa within a period spanning over 120 years. It has also been a key partner in progress in Nigeria where it has operated for over four decades. We are delighted to note that GE is providing support that will enable us leverage the emerging potential of the 24/7 economy of Lagos mega city and a location of first choice for investors.”
The results of the survey were further explored and discussed by a panel of experts which included Partner, Synergy Capital Managers, Dr Akintoye Akindele; Co-founder, Impact Hub, Solape Hammond; Co-Founder and CEO, Afrigrants, Thelma Ekiyor; and Director, Ondo State Information Technology Agency, Olumbe Akinkugbe.
The discussants recommended several strategies to encourage the SME innovation in Nigeria, including close collaboration between the public and private sectors.
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