Institutions, Innovation and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review

Based on the theory of institutions and empirical literature survey from Sub-Saharan African economies, this review article examines the state of development in institutional quality, and absorptive capacity and the implication these bear for economic performance in the region. Drawing on the theory of institution by North, D.C. (1990), and Acemoglu, D., & Johnson, S. (2005), and the indigenous growth theories by Schumpeter (1934), Romer (1986) and Lucas (1988), to assess the state affairs in institutions, innovation, and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Empirical evidence points out that institutions and absorptive capacity are underdeveloped in most of the Sub-Saharan countries. However, institutions and innovative capacity of the region is gradually evolving with substantial implication over the economic growth record of the Sub– Saharan region. This study claims that if current trends of institutional development (i.e., democratic and governance institutions) and improvement in innovation infrastructure continue: Sub-Saharan Africa will become more democratic with strong rule of law in the near future; innovative capability of Sub-Saharan African states will be improved; and Africa will maintain its momentum in terms of economic growth.

本文基于制度理论与针对撒哈拉以南非洲经济体的实证文献调研，探讨了该地区制度质量（institutional quality）与吸收能力（absorptive capacity）的发展现状，及其对区域经济表现的影响。本文依托诺斯（North, D.C., 1990）、阿西莫格鲁与约翰逊（Acemoglu, D. & Johnson, S., 2005）的制度理论，以及熊彼特（Schumpeter, 1934）、罗默（Romer, 1986）与卢卡斯（Lucas, 1988）的本土增长理论，旨在评估撒哈拉以南非洲地区的制度建设、创新发展与经济增长现状。实证研究结果表明，撒哈拉以南多数国家的制度质量与吸收能力均处于欠发达水平。然而，该地区的制度与创新能力正逐步演进，其对撒哈拉以南非洲的经济增长轨迹具有显著影响。本研究指出，若当前制度建设（即民主与治理制度）的发展趋势与创新基础设施（innovation infrastructure）的完善态势得以延续，那么在不久的将来，撒哈拉以南非洲地区将实现更为健全的民主与强有力的法治（rule of law）保障；撒哈拉以南非洲国家的创新能力将得到提升；非洲地区也将维持其经济增长的发展势头。