Where innovation thrives in the Global South: India, Rwanda lead their class
The World Intellectual Property Organisation has released the 2025 edition of its annual Global Innovation Index, a comprehensive report ranking 139 economies by their capacity to invest in and generate new ideas, technologies and businesses.
Europe dominated the top tier, with Switzerland and Sweden holding the first and second spots, followed by the United States at No. 3. Among upper-middle-income economies, China led the pack, trailed by Malaysia and Turkey.
But the report also highlights the rising stars of innovation in lower-middle-income and low-income economies — many of which are considered to be performing better than their levels of development.
Lower middle-income
1. India
India, the world’s most populous nation, once again topped the lower middle-income group, ranking 38th overall. It was named an innovation overperformer for the 15th consecutive year, meaning it outpaced expectations for its level of development. India’s strongest asset remains its booming ICT services exports, supported by a 7.6% jump in scientific publications.
2. Vietnam
Vietnam came in 44th globally and second among lower-middle-income economies, also earning overperformer status for the 15th straight year. It ranked particularly high in creative outputs, knowledge and technology outputs, and market sophistication, with creative goods exports and high-tech trade standing out as its main strengths.
3. Philippines
The Philippines entered the top 50 overall this year, clinching the third spot in its income group. The country excelled in knowledge and technology outputs and in business sophistication. High-tech exports and imports were cited as its strongest contributions to the global innovation ecosystem.
Low income
1. Rwanda
Rwanda topped the list of low-income economies, ranking 104th worldwide and 10th in Sub-Saharan Africa. WIPO described Rwanda as an overperformer, pointing to its strong institutions and human capital investment as its key areas, and a stable business environment as its main strength.
2. Togo
At 117th overall, Togo was credited with strong market sophistication, with its main strength lying particularly in microfinance. It performed broadly in line with expectations for its level of development.
3. Uganda
Uganda, ranked 124th, rounded out the top three in the low-income group despite slipping three spots from last year. Its main strengths remain its institutional framework and business sophistication, as well as its youthful population.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
