Saudi Arabia has the rare opportunity to leapfrog into the upper echelon of biotech nations. By coupling its manufacturing drive with an innovation ecosystem that nurtures startups, develops IP, and attracts global partners, the Kingdom can achieve both economic diversification and sustainable healt...

Persistent currency depreciation in Africa during recent years has placed significant strain on the operating environments of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including their access to finance. Several economies experienced double-digit devaluations in less than five years, which in turn took a ...

This paper introduces a new framework for Systems Change Entrepreneurship, offering entrepreneurs and institutions a path to design scalable, regenerative solutions that build inclusive and sustainable market systems.

This white paper, intended for entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers in growth markets, argues that addressing the MRV gap is a strategic priority. It discusses how a digital Carbon-MRV platform could enable exporters to accurately measure emissions, verify reductions (for example, using AI an...

In October 2024, the Legatum Center for Development Entrepreneurship at MIT conducted a two-day workshop titled "Hedging Currency Risk: Innovative Lending Strategies for SMEs in Africa." The workshop brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, investors, economists, and thought leaders to tac...

This paper employs the MIT framework for innovation-driven entrepreneurship to assess the development of Deep Tech and innovation ecosystems in Central Asia, focusing on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has seen rapid socioeconomic growth due to oil and gas revenues, but diversification has been at the top of economic growth agendas for over a decade now. GCC countries are increasingly encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation as a pathway to achieving diversity...

The story of Africa has long been one of resilience, innovation, and adaptability: from the architectural marvels of the ancient Egyptian pyramids to the invention of mathematics in the Kingdom of Mali, the Continent has been characterized by significant achievements and contributions to global hist...

This paper lays out a new framework for understanding the different ways in which entrepreneurs unlock value in broken or dysfunctional markets. Based on the study of how successful business and social entrepreneurs are transforming markets for growth and impact in both emerging and developed econom...

The Kallas are a mission-driven family. Dr. Hassan El Kalla founded CIRA in the early 90s with the mission of transforming Egypt bottom-up, student by student. He believes that Egypt’s greatest resource is its people and that quality, accessible education has the power to create generations of probl...