BMET 27A72 - New policies for innovation: A Euro-African perspective
SHORT BIOGRAPHY
Please reply to all questions in the language of instruction (unless indicated otherwise).
Name of the instructor Amina Zakhnouf
Title: Investment Officer
Organization/Affiliation: Fund for Innovation in Development (Part of the French Development Agency)
Short biography:
Amina is an Investment Officer at the Fund for Innovation in Development. FID aims to support the emergence of innovative solutions to development issues, by relying on the rigor of scientific evaluation and experimentation. Hosted by the French Development Agency, FID is governed by a board of directors chaired by Esther Duflo, Nobel Prize Winner 2019. Prior, she was an Innovation Manager at the French Public Investment Bank (Bpifrance) where she created programs and products aiming at connecting French and foreign companies, using R&D as a lever for internationalization. She was previously an International Development Consultant, with a strong focus on development banking, supported the creation of the Hellenic Development Bank in Greece and backed the Tunisian government's effort in creating a favourable investment ecosystem for start-ups.
Aside from her, Amina is the co-founder and editor of “Je m'engage pour l'Afrique”, a public policy incubator aiming at giving youth a seat at the table when it comes to Euro-African policy making, and improving policy knowledge accessible to all. In 2021, she was among the 11 youth selected to debate with French President Emmanuel Macron during the France-Africa New Summit in Montpellier in 2021. She was named Forbes 30 under 30 by Forbes Africa in 2022.
Amina graduated from Sciences Po Paris in 2019, and specialized in Development Banking, International Public Management and Global Risks.
Amina ZAKHNOUF
Atelier
English
Autumn 2023-2024
COURSE OUTLINE
Session 1: Defining Innovation, Understanding Impact
Description:
In this session, we will explore different definitions of innovation and its impact on society. We will discuss the different types of innovation, such as incremental and radical, and the various factors that drive innovation.
Required readings:
L'innovation selon Joseph Schumpeter et le rôle de l'entrepreneur (aufutur.fr)
What is Schumpeter's Theory of Innovation? definition and meaning - Business Jargons
Recommended readings:
- Partech Africa, “2020 Africa Tech Venture Report”, Partech, 2021, https://partechpartners.com/2020-africa-tech-venture-capital-report/
Session 2: A short History of Policies for Innovation: Comparative Outlook
Description:
This session will explore the evolution of innovation policies in Africa and Europe, the current state of these policies, and their impact on the respective regions. We will examine the similarities and differences between the policies in both regions, and how they have influenced innovation.
Required Readings:
Startup Acts: an emerging instrument to foster the development of innovative high-growth firms (icr-facility.eu)
From Idea to Impact: The Evolution and Future of the Startup Act in Africa – AR-Initiative (arinitiative.org)
Recommended Readings:
Kookueva, Viktoriya & Juliya, Tsertseil. (2020). The role of state support for small and medium-sized businesses in the context of innovative economic development. E3S Web of Conferences. 220. 01031. 10.1051/e3sconf/202022001031.
Session 3 : Institutions, private players, newcomers : understand who's who in the innovation ecosystem
In this session, we will discuss the different stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, including governments, businesses, academia, and non-profit organizations. We will explore their roles, contributions, and challenges in fostering innovation.
Required Readings:
Innovation ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa: the path towards localised STI for SDGs roadmaps - Smart Specialisation Platform (europa.eu)
Technology in Africa: Building Innovative Ecosystems | Smart Cities Dive
Session 4: Funding Innovation from State Incentives to Venture Capital
Description:
In this session, we will examine different models of funding innovation, including state incentives, venture capital, and corporate funding. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each model and how they impact innovation.
Required readings:
How Venture Capital Works (hbr.org)
Africa Investment Report 2022 by Briter Bridges
Session 5: Leveraging Innovation to Generate Social Impact
Description: In this session, we will explore how innovation can be leveraged to generate social impact, particularly in Africa and Europe. We will discuss different models of social innovation, including social entrepreneurship and impact investing. We will draw from examples from different African countries and different stakeholders, and two entrepreneurs will intervene to present their innovations and potential impact.
Required readings:
Social entrepreneurs can drive an inclusive 'Africa's century' | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
Recommended readings:
Mair, J., & Marti, I. (2006). Social Entrepreneurship Research: A Source of Explanation, Prediction, and Delight.
RIVERA-SANTOS, MIGUEL, et al. “SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.” Academy of Management Perspectives, vol. 29, no. 1, 2015, pp. 72–91. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43822075 . Accessed 4 May 2023.
Session 6: Focus on Digital 4 Development
Description: In this session, we will explore digital for development initiatives, including their goals, strategies, and impact. We will discuss different models of digital for development initiatives, including e-government, e-commerce, and e-health. This session will deal with digital entrepreneurship: fintech and Digital4Development practices in the region.
Required readings:
Lawson-Hall Cathia, Leke Acha, « How entrepreneurs and investors can help unlock Africa's economic future », Annales des Mines - Réalités industrielles, 2019/3 DOI : 10.3917/rindu1.193.0019.
URL : https://www.cairn.info/revuerealites-industrielles-2019-3-page-19.htm
Recommended readings:
Jacques Bughin, Eric Hazan, Tera Allas, Klemens Hjartar, James Manyika, Pal Erik Sjatil, Irina Shigina, “Tech for good, smooting disruption, improving well-being”, Mckinsey Global Institute (May 2019)
European Commission, “Digital4Development 2nd Multistakeholder event” (March 2019)
Assignment for this session : midterm exam (take-home exam)
Session 7: Practical Exercice – Launching an impact-driven project – Problem Statement and Development Challenge
Description:
In this session, we will discuss how to launch an impact-driven project by defining a development challenge. We will explore different approaches to identifying and defining development challenges, including participatory approaches and problem-driven iterative adaptation.
Students will get into groups, and decide on what type of project they wish to work on, using a collaborative voting system.
Required readings:
Ramalingam, B. (2012). Aid on the Edge of Chaos: Rethinking International Cooperation in a Complex World.
Development challenges and solutions | United Nations Development Programme (undp.org)
Recommended readings:
Saeed, Khalid. (2001). Defining developmental problems for policy intervention or Building reference mode in 20 steps over 5 learning cycles.
https://web.stanford.edu/~pdupas/DupasRobinson_HealthSavings.pdf
Session 8: Theory of Change and MVP
Description:
In this session, we will explore how to write a theory of change, which is a tool for planning, monitoring, and evaluating development interventions. We will discuss different components of a theory of change and how to use it to achieve impact. A theory of Change is essentially a comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context.
Students will also start working on ways to reach a Minimum Viable Product for their solution
Guest speaker to be confirmed
Required readings:
Building a Theory of Change (ToC) (povertyactionlab.org)
How to Plan an MVP : YC Startup Library | Y Combinator
Session 9: Building a Triple Bottom Line Business Model
Description:
People, Planet, Profit : the triple bottom line is key to building and identifying Social Businesses
In this session, we will explore how to build a triple bottom line business model, which takes into account not only financial performance but also social and environmental impacts. We will discuss different components of a triple bottom line business model and how to measure its impact.
This session will focus on understanding how to implement business models and financing strategies (debt, equity, blended finance, export, etc.). In addition, students will have to start working on their fundraising strategy, market share position and growth strategy.
Required readings:
The Triple Bottom Line: What It Is & Why It's Important (hbs.edu)
Session 10: Paving a Pathway to Scale and Identifying Risks
Description:
In this session, we will discuss how to create a pathway to scale and how to conduct risk analysis. We will explore different strategies for scaling impact-driven projects, including replication, adaptation, and partnership. “Scaling up expands, replicates, adapts, and sustains successful policies, programs, or projects to reach a greater number of people. It is part of a broader process of innovation and learning.” Students will become more familiar with future projection methods, and risk mapping.
Guest speaker to be confirmed
Required readings:
Pathways to Scale guide by USAID
Recommended readings:
Session 11: Impact Evaluation and Performance Measurement
Description:
In this session, we will discuss how to conduct impact evaluations to measure the effectiveness of development interventions. We will explore different methods for impact evaluations, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and mixed methods.
Guest speaker to be confirmed
Required readings:
(video) Duflo, E. (2012). TED Talk: Social Experiments to Fight Poverty.
Introduction to randomized evaluations | The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab
What is Social Impact and How do we Measure it? - Clear Impact
Recommended readings:
Ravallion, M. (2016). The Economics of Poverty: History, Measurement, and Policy.
Session 12: Pitch Day
Description:
In this final session, we will explore how to pitch your impact-driven solution to potential investors, including foundations, impact investors, and venture capitalists. We will discuss different strategies for developing a compelling pitch, including storytelling, data visualization, and social media.
Each group will present their concept, theory of change, scale-up strategy and projected impact
The pitch will be done in front of a jury of professionals, former entrepreneurs, economists, VC funds and public bankers.
Guest speaker to be confirmed
Required readings:
Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2007). Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.
Recommended readings:
Bpifrance Création, “Plan type de pitch pour présenter votre création d'entreprise » (Septembre 2021) https://bpifrance-creation.fr/encyclopedie/porteur-projet-preparation-droits-obligations/preparation/plan-type-pitch-presenter