RESEARCH 

Publications

  Peer-Reviewed Journals

• Ndubuisi, G. and Avenyo, E. K. Jobs, investments, and exporting: the real effects of electricity crisis in South Africa. Energy Economics (Forthcoming).

• Ndubuisi, G., Mensah, E. B., Avenyo, E. K., and Sakyi, D. (2025). Global value chains and the innovativeness of firms in Africa. Technovation, 146, 103276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2025.103276

• Ndubuisi, G., Avenyo, E. K., and Asiama, R. (2025). Dancing on the grid: Electricity crises, energy vulnerability, and manufacturing jobs in South Africa. Energy Policy, 202, 114534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2025.114534

• Avenyo, E.K. and Tregenna, F. (2025). ‘Learning to Export’ and ‘Learning By Exporting’: Revisiting the Relationship Between Innovation and Exports in African Firms. African Development Review, 37: e70001. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8268.70001

• Fu, X. & Avenyo, E.K. (December 2024). Revisiting the effect of information and communication technologies on employment in Ghana: The role of enterprise formality. Scientific African, 26, e02394. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227624003363

• Avenyo, E.K., Bell, J.F. & Nyamwena, J. (2024). Determinants of digital technologies’ adoption in South African manufacturing: Evidence from a firm-level survey. South African Journal of Economics 2024:1–25. http://doi.org/10.1111/saje.12378

• Osei, D., Konte, M., & Avenyo, E. K. (2024). Escaping Corruption in the Demand for Public Services in Africa- The Dual Nature of Civic Networks. World Development, 177, 106541 but also be pushiled in Delta by Marriot hotwero,

• Mazzi, C. T., Ndubuisi, G., & Avenyo, E. K. (2024). Learning-by-exporting in South Africa: The influence of global value chain (GVC) participation and technological capability. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2023.2295631

• Avenyo, E.K. (2023). Learning to innovate in urban informal enterprises of Ghana: Role of apprenticeship and formal interaction. Scientific African, 20, e01740.

• Avenyo, E.K., & Tregenna, F. (2022). Greening manufacturing: Technology intensity and carbon dioxide emissions in developing countries. Applied Energy, 324: 119726.

• Goga, S. & Avenyo, E.K. (2022). Industrial policy, the manufacturing sector and black empowerment in South Africa. Transformation: Critical Perspectives on Southern Africa Transformation, 109, 80-111.

• Balde, R., Boly, M., & Avenyo, E.K. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 on the labor market in sub-Saharan Africa: analysis through the prism of informality in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal. Revue d'économie du développement (Journal of Development Economics), 1-2 (29) , 43 - 84.

• Ward, J. L., Azzopardi, P. S., Francis, K. L., Santelli, J. S., Skirbekk, V., ... Avenyo, E. K., ... & Constantin, T. V. (2021). Global, regional, and national mortality among young people aged 10–24 years, 1950–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 398 (10311), 1593-1618.

• Fu, X., Avenyo, E.K., &. Ghauri, P. (2021). Digital platforms and development: a survey of the literature. Innovation and Development, 11 (2-3): 173-187. https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2021.1975361

• Avenyo, E.K., & Kraemer-Mbula, E. (2021). Innovation and the performance of informal enterprises in developing countries: A gender perspective. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 13 (4): 277-301. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJGE-11-2020-0174

• Avenyo, E.K., Tregenna, F., & Kraemer-Mbula, E. (2021). Do Productive Capabilities Affect Export Performance? Evidence from African Firms. The European Journal of Development Research, 33: 304–329.

• Avenyo, E.K., Francois, J.N., & Zinyemba, T.P. (2021). On gender and spatial gaps in Africa’s informal sector: Evidence from urban Ghana. Economics Letters, 199, 109732.

• Avenyo, E.K., Konte, M., & Mohnen, P. (2021). Product innovations and informal market competition in sub-Saharan Africa: Firm-level evidence. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 31 (2): 605–637.

• Avenyo, E.K., & Ndubuisi, G. (2020). Coping During COVID-19: Family Businesses and Social Assistance in Nigeria. ISSUE 51 Covid Economics: Vetted and Real-Time Papers, pages 159-184. CEPR Press: Geneva.

• Avenyo, E.K., Mohnen, P., & Konte, M. (2019). The employment impact of product innovations in sub-Saharan Africa: Firm-level evidence. Research Policy 48 (9): 103806.

Report Contributions

• Ndubuisi, G., Avenyo, EK., Owusu, S. and Kassa, W. (2025). Regionalizing Green Transition Minerals for Structural Transformation in Africa (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099620011192519026

• Avenyo, E., Tregenna, F., Asiama, R. and Ncube, P. (2025). The future of industrialization in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bottlenecks and sectoral opportunities. Background report produced for the UNIDO Industrial Development Report 2026 (Chapter 5). Vienna: United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Link: https://www.unido.org/idr/idr2026#/

• Andreoni, A. & Avenyo, E.K. (August 2023). Critical Minerals and Routes to Diversification in Africa: Linkages, Pulling Dynamics and Opportunities in Medium-High Tech Supply Chains. Background paper commissioned by the UNCTAD secretariat for the 2023 edition of the Economic Development in Africa Report. UNCTAD: United Nations.

• Andreoni, A. & Avenyo, E.K. (August 2023). Critical Minerals and Routes to Diversification in Africa: Opportunities for Diversification into Renewable Energy Technologies - The Case of Morocco. Background paper commissioned by the UNCTAD secretariat for the 2023 edition of the Economic Development in Africa Report. UNCTAD: United Nations.

• Andreoni, A. & Avenyo, E.K. (August 2023). Critical Minerals and Routes to Diversification in Africa: Opportunities for Diversification into Batteries and Fuel Cells and Mining Equipment Technologies - The Case of South Africa. Background paper commissioned by the UNCTAD secretariat for the 2023 edition of the Economic Development in Africa Report. UNCTAD: United Nations.

• Andreoni, A. & Avenyo, E.K. (August 2023). Critical Minerals and Routes to Diversification in Africa: Opportunities for diversification into Mobile Phone Technologies - The Case of Democratic Republic of Congo. Background paper commissioned by the UNCTAD secretariat for the 2023 edition of the Economic Development in Africa Report. UNCTAD: United Nations.

• Avenyo, E.K., Chien, C.L., Hollanders, H., Marins, L., Schaaper, M., & Verspagen, B. (2015). Tracking trends in innovation and mobility. In UNESCO Science Report: Towards 2030, Chapter 2 (57-83). UNESCO Publishings: Paris, France.

Working Papers

• Ndubuisi, G., Avenyo, EK., Owusu, S. and Kassa, W. (2025). Regionalizing Green Transition Minerals for Structural Transformation in Africa (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099620011192519026

• Ndubuisi G. and Avenyo E.K. (December 2024). Jobs, investments, and exporting: the real effects of electricity crises in South Africa. WIDER Working Paper 2024/89. Helsinki: UNU-WIDER. https://doi.org/10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2024/554-7.

• Ndubuisi, G. and Avenyo, E.K. (2024). Solar photovoltaic manufacturing in Africa: Opportunity or mirage. Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) Policy Paper: Berlin. Link: https://afripoli.org/solar-photovoltaic-manufacturing-in-africa-opportunity-or-mirage

• Avenyo, E.K., Spinola, D., and Tregenna, F. (July 2024). Chinese Manufacturing Import Penetration and Firm Performance: Evidence from Belt and Road Initiative Countries. SARChI Industrial Development Working Paper Series WP 2024-06: ISBN 978-1-7764501-0-7

• Ndubuisi, G., Avenyo, E. K. & Asiama, R. (June 2024). Dancing on the grid: electricity crises, manufacturing energy vulnerability, and jobs in South Africa. WIDER Working Paper 2024/41. Link: https://doi.org/10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2024/503-5

• Bell, J., Goga, S,, Muzyamba, C., Nyamwena, J. & Avenyo, E.K. (August 2023).  Navigating the European Union’s Green Deal in at-risk agro-food sectors in South Africa: Case of citrus and wine. CCRED Working Paper 2023/02: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E. K. and Nyamwena, J. (2023). Digital capabilities in South African manufacturing firms: What matters? CCRED-IDTT Working Paper 2023/06: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E. K., Bosiu, T. and Nyamwena, J. (2023). Localisation in South Africa: Analysis of key emerging issues. CCRED-IDTT Working Paper 2023/01: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E.K and Bell, J. (2022). Disruptive Technologies and Manufacturing Performance in South Africa: Firm-Level Evidence. The African Economic Research Consortium Working Paper 2022/004: Nairobi.

• Avenyo, E.K, Mensah, E.B., Ndubuisi, G. and Sakyi, D. (2022). Global Value Chain Participation and Innovation: Firm-Level Evidence from Africa. The African Economic Research Consortium Working Paper 2022/012: Nairobi.

• Avenyo, E.K, Bell, J.F., Mondliwa, P. and Nyamwena, J. (2022). An assessment of the state of the chemical industry: Industry 4.0 perspective. CCRED-IDTT Working Paper 2022/07: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E.K, Bell, J.F., Mondliwa, P. and Nyamwena, J. (2022). An assessment of the state of fibre processing and manufacturing SETA in the context of industry 4.0. CCRED-IDTT Working Paper 2022/08: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E.K., Bell, J.F. & Nyamwena, J. (2022). Determinants of digital technologies’ adoption in South African manufacturing: Evidence from a firm-level survey. CCRED-IDTT Working Paper 2022/02: Johannesburg.

• Goga, S. & Avenyo, E.K. (2021). Industrial Policy, the Manufacturing Sector and Black Empowerment in South Africa. Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) Working Paper: BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROJECT.

• Avenyo, E.K., Bell, J.F., Nyamwena, J. and Robb, N. (2021). Identifying vulnerable and priority manufacturing sectors for economic recovery in South Africa: An empirical approach. CCRED-IDTT Working Paper 2021/05: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E.K. (2021). Learning and Product Innovation Performance in Informal Enterprises: Evidence from Urban Ghana. Munich Personal RePEc Archive Paper 108839.

• Avenyo, E.K., Tregenna, F., & Ngwadleka, K. (May 2021). ‘Learning to export’ and ‘learning to innovate’: Revisiting the relationship between innovation and exports in African firms. Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) Working paper 861.

• Avenyo, E.K., & Tregenna, F. (January 2021). The effects of technology intensity in manufacturing on CO2 emissions: Evidence from developing countries. Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) Working paper 846.

• Avenyo, E.K, Francois, J.N., & Zinyemba, T. (2020). COVID-19, Lockdowns, and Africa's Informal Sector: Lessons from Ghana. UNU-MERIT Working Paper Series, Number 2020-028: United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).

• Mazzi, C. T., Ndubuisi, G., & Avenyo, E. (2020). Exporters and global value chain participation: Firm-level evidence from South Africa. WIDER Working Paper 2020/145. Helsinki: UNU-WIDER.

• Balde, R., Boly, M., & Avenyo, E. (2020). Labour market effects of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: An informality lens from Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal. UNU-MERIT Working Paper Series, Number 2020-022: United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).

• Avenyo, E., Mohnen, P., & Konte, M. (2019). The employment impact of product innovations in sub-Saharan Africa: Firm-level evidence. UNU-MERIT Working Paper Series, Number 2019-019: United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).

• Avenyo, E. (2018). Informal innovations in urban Ghana: Data set and descriptive analysis. UNU-MERIT Working Paper Series, Number 2019-30: United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).

• Ndubuisi, G., & Avenyo, E. K. (2018). Estimating the effects of robotization on exports. UNU-MERIT Working Paper Series, Number 2018-046: United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT). 

• Al Raee, M., Amoateng, E., Avenyo, E.K., Beshay, Y., Bierbaum, M., Keijser, C., & Sinha, R. (2014). Millennium Development Goals: Tool or token of global social governance? UNU-MERIT Working Paper Series, Number 2014-024: United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT). 

Policy Briefs/Opinion Pieces

• Asiama, R. et al. (March 2025). The new era of industrial policy in Africa: from SDG assessment to policy solutions. UNIDO Policy Brief Series: Vienna. Link: https://lnkd.in/dn7BiAnG

• Ayanore, M., Avenyo, E.K. and Osei, D. (November 2023). Catastrophic Effects of COVID-19 Health Expenditure Shocks and Multidimensional Poverty in Ghana: What Financing Mechanisms Mattered? AERC Policy Brief: November 2023 / AHCV-PB-007.

• Nyamwena, J. and Avenyo, E. K. (2023). Financing digital industrialisation in South Africa: Emerging issues. CCRED-IDTT Policy Brief 2023/05: Johannesburg.

• Nyamwena, J., Avenyo, E. K. and Bosiu, T. and (2023). Localisation and industrialization nexus: Lessons for South Africa. CCRED-IDTT Policy Brief 2023/01: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E.K., & Tregenna, F. (February 2023). Climate change mitigation for late industrialisers: The role of technology intensity in manufacturing. Centre for Business and Development Studies. Centre for Business and Development Studies. Policy Brief No. February 2023.

• Avenyo, E.K., Bell, J. & Nyamewema, J. (2022, July). Implications of COVID-19 on Digital Transformation in South Africa. CCRED-IDTT Policy Brief 2022/07.

• Chisoro, S. & Avenyo, E.K. (2022). Digital industrialisation of freshness. CCRED-IDTT Policy Brief 2022/09: Johannesburg.

• Avenyo, E.K & Bell, J. (2022). Digital Technology Adoption and Performance in South African Manufacturing Firms: Early Evidence for Policy. The African Economic Research Consortium Policy Brief 2022/004: Nairobi.

• Andreoni, A., & Avenyo, E.K. (2021, 2nd December). South Africa is failing to ride the digital revolution wave. What it needs to do. The Conversation.

• Balde, R., & Avenyo, E.K. (2021, 7th September). Informal workers in Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso have been hit harder by COVID-19. The Conversation.

• Avenyo, E.K., Bell, J., Nyamewema, J. & Robb, N. (2021, July). Awakening industrial economic recovery in South Africa. CCRED-IDTT Policy Brief.

• Avenyo, E.K., & Bell, J. (2021, 4th March). South Africa’s path to the 4IR – the role of digital skills. Engineering News, Creamer Media.

In Progress

• ICT, Formality, and Employment Growth of Manufacturing Enterprises: Evidence from Ghana  (Co-authored with Xiaolan Fu). 

• High Technology Exports as a Pathway to Industrial Development & Growth: Evidence from African countries (Co-authored with Rexford Asiamah).

• Techniques for the Valuation of Technologies: A systematic review of the literature (Co-authored with Shaomeng Li and Xiaolan Fu).

• Are makers the new 'alternative'? Evidence from Africa’s maker spaces (Co-authored with Erika Kraemer-Mbula). 

Journal Reviews

• European Journal of Development Research. Role: Reviewer

• Structural Change and Economic Dynamics. Role: Reviewer

• Review of Development Economics. Role: Reviewer

• Journal of Institutional Economics. Role: Reviewer

• Small Business Economics: An Entrepreneurship Journal. Role: Reviewer

• Research Policy. Role: Reviewer

• African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. Role: Reviewer