Kenya is the second most innovative country in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2009/2010 Global Competitiveness Report, reports SciDev.net.

Kenya’s high innovation rating stems from extensive private investment on research and development and healthy links between research institutions and the private sector. Kenya ranked fortieth in the University-industry collaboration subcategory and thirty-seventh in company spending on R&D.

Kenya fell six places from 42nd in last year’s report to place 48th out of 133 countries but retained the second place among sub-Saharan African countries, despite political violence following contested elections in December 2007. South Africa was ranked the most innovative country in sub-Saharan Africa in 41st place.