Abstract

The study relied on secondary data accessed from World Bank data base spanning over 37 years (1976-2012). Data obtained were analyzed using canonical cointegration regression (CCR) method. It was found that poor education (secondary school enrollment) was exerting negative influence on innovation levels in SSA (p<0.05) in the long-run. Credit to the private sector as well as value of official aids received, labour mobility proxied by number of passengers transported via air planes and electricity consumption were significantly and positively influencing the long-run level of innovation in the region. Their t-statistics were all significant at p<0.01. Based on the findings, the study recommended increased funding of education, R&D as well as increasing access to finance for entrepreneurship development; international communities and donors especially should be encouraged to contribute to building global innovation systems by supporting SSA firms: While SSA countries should remove barriers to labour mobility through flexible immigration policies.

Key words: Innovation, barriers, sub-Sahara African, economies ,cointegration analysis.