Emma Nkonoki on inclusive innovation ecosystems - why we need NGOs to ensure that no one is left behind

Emma Nkonoki will present at the WIDER Seminar Series on 29 January 

Abstract - Inclusive innovation ecosystems: why we need NGOs to ensure that 'no one is left behind,' a case study from Tanzania

Tanzania is still an underdeveloped country whose population keeps growing and urbanization continues at an alarming speed. For Tanzania to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and the Tanzanian Development Vision 2025, innovation has to be prioritized from the grassroots level. 

My research findings so far show that low-income communities tend to be left out due to different factors e.g. lack of education. Statistics show that the majority of developing countries' populations are in low-income settings.

It is time to emphasize grassroots innovations and ensure that innovations do not contribute to inequality but rather bring citizens closer into building the economy of their countries.

About the speaker 

Emma Nkonoki is an innovation and development expert at the Finnish Development NGOs platform (Fingo). She is also doing her PhD in building an inclusive technology innovation ecosystem by emphasizing grassroots innovations at the University of Turku, in Finland. Her research concentrates on East Africa.

WIDER Seminar Series

The WIDER Seminar Series showcases recent and ongoing work on key topics in development economics. The weekly sessions held in Helsinki are open to local and visiting researchers, policy makers, and others interested in development topics. Click here to learn more.

Seminars will be live streamed on Facebook and recordings and presentations will be available after the event here.

For more information email tomi@wider.unu.edu