Global Innovation Index (2019), recognised Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique and Rwandafour
low income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa who have performed impressively in
innovation against their respective Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Identification of
technology needs of any country play a key role in preparing policy measures and effective
action towards sustainable development. Technology Needs Assessments Project,
implemented through UN Environment and United Nations Environment Programme with
Technical University of Denmark (UNEP DTU), sponsored by the Global Environment
Facility in between 2010 and 2018 and completed two phases of Technology Needs
Assessments (TNAs) in these four countries. There is one common technology need
for mitigation in all these four countries has been chalked out i.e., “Ensuring access to
affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” which adheres to the 7th goal
of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the Agenda 2030 of the UNEP and the goal
of Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU) for the transformation of traditional sources
to modern sources of energy for ensuring the access of clean and affordable electricity
to all the people of Africa. Access to electricity remains very low ranges from 11.02% to
34.72% of their population with lowest in Burundi and highest in Rwanda. They are not
only energy stressed country but they are also among the poorest nations of the world.
This article critically investigates and reviews the Science, Technology and Innovation
Policy (STIP) and programmes, S&T infrastructure, Tertiary education, R&D investment,
Patent profiles for sustainable or clean energy from 2000-2020 in these four low income
countries of Africa. Present study indicates that how the development trajectory of
innovation ecosystem of these countries can be a root enabler to achieve the goals
formulated in SDG 7 of the UNEP and the Agenda 2063 of the AU as well.