Transforming innovations in Africa: explorative studies on appropriation in African societies

Jan-Bart Gewald (Editor), Andre Leliveld (Editor), Iva Peša (Editor)

Research output: Book/ReportBookProfessional

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Africa abounds with examples of material and immaterial innovations that were envisaged, developed and designed elsewhere yet came to be innovatively and sometimes unexpectedly transformed in Africa. The authors in this volume explore how external innovations (products, technologies, services, institutions and processes) have been appropriated in African societies in order to be acceptable and relevant to local conditions, expectations and demands. Written from different disciplinary perspectives, the chapters demonstrate the depth and richness of innovation in Africa with, in some cases, surprising outcomes. The case studies presented are on subjects as diverse as the wine industry, trading stores, land reforms, washing powder, M-Pesa, cassava, weddings, international borders, guest houses, urban water supply, car technology, shallow wells, and railways and blacksmithing.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationLeiden
PublisherBrill
Number of pages301
ISBN (Print)978-90-04-24544-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAfrican dynamics
Volume11
ISSN (Print)1568-1777

Keywords

  • Innovation
  • Africa
  • Subsahara-Africa
  • Technological innovations
  • Information technology
  • Economic history

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