Innovation and new technologies are key drivers of economic growth in today’s globalised economy. Promoting innovation has thus become a critical regional and national policy objective in the context of a changing global landscape where global value chains are a critical conduit for technology diffusion and digital technologies are reshaping business models and strategies. tralac’s work in this area examines the challenges and opportunities for African countries posed by the growing importance of digital technologies and digitalisation, innovation and IP in a globalised economy in order to support the design of policies that support their development objectives.