The Challenges for Developing Innovation in the Middle East

Technological leapfrogging is allowing developing countries in Africa and Asia to slowly build up their capacity for innovation after years of stunted potential. But the Middle East consistently ranks low in global surveys of innovation, even though the region includes some of the wealthiest countries in the world. Longstanding challenges, such as a lack of research, weak educational systems and restrictive government policies must be addressed, industry experts say, for the region to overcome the perception that little innovation happens there.