From Hubs to Economies: Rethinking Innovation Ecosystem Models for U.S.-Africa Collaboration

The rapid proliferation of innovation hubs across Africa has generated optimism about the continent’s potential for digital transformation and inclusive growth. Yet, despite the visibility of hubs and the emphasis on U.S.–Africa innovation partnerships, evidence of systemic economic impact has remained limited. This study re-examined the role of hubs within broader innovation ecosystems by introducing the Hub-to-Economy Transmission (H2E) model, a framework that specifies the pathways through which hub activity diffuses into macroeconomic outcomes. Using a mixed-methods design, the research combined econometric analysis of hub-affiliated firms in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana with qualitative case studies across FinTech, AgriTech, and HealthTech sectors. The findings showed that hub density alone was not a reliable indicator of ecosystem strength. Instead, economic transformation was achieved when hubs activated three transmission pathways: capital and contracts, which provided resources and legitimacy through procurement linkages; capabilities and standards, which enabled firms to comply with international regulations and sustain growth; and market access and policy alignment, which created enabling environments for cross-border scaling. Firms embedded in collaborations that combined all three pathways demonstrated higher growth, stronger export performance, and greater resilience than peers with weaker connections. The study concluded that U.S.–Africa collaborations must move beyond symbolic hub proliferation and prioritize systemic integration through procurement platforms, compliance partnerships, and policy harmonization. The H2E model therefore offered both a theoretical contribution to innovation systems scholarship and a practical roadmap for designing partnerships that translate entrepreneurial activity into inclusive economic transformation.