Abstract
This systematic literature review synthesises the state of knowledge on frugal innovation (FI) in Sub‑Saharan Africa (SSA), analysing 43 peer‑reviewed journal articles retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Business Source Complete.
Following Denyer and Tranfield’s methodology and guided by CIMO logic, the review combines descriptive statistics with thematic synthesis to examine how FI emerges, diffuses, and creates value under conditions of scarcity.
Findings show FI is multisectoral, healthcare, agriculture, digital finance, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and community development originating primarily as a problem‑driven response to institutional voids and resource constraints.
Across cases, FI delivers significant outcomes: improved clinical and public‑health performance, broader financial inclusion, organisational learning and capability strengthening, and enhanced community resilience.
Key enablers include co‑creation networks and bridging institutions, digital infrastructures, organisational ambidexterity and frugal mindsets, and the mobilisation of social capital and gendered agency.
However, diffusion and sustainability are impeded by persistent regulatory and institutional weaknesses, financial and infrastructural constraints, capability and knowledge gaps, negative “cheapness” perceptions, market access frictions, and inequities affecting women and informal innovators.
The review reframes FI as a context‑sensitive, “good‑enough” strategy that transforms scarcity into a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development rather than a mere cost‑cutting approach.
It also identifies priorities for future research and policy strengthening ecosystem coordination, clarifying regulation, addressing finance and infrastructure bottlenecks, and broadening geographic and sectoral coverage.
Keywords: frugal; frugal innovation; resource constrained innovation; bottom of the pyramid innovation; Jugaad innovation; Sub-Saharan Africa.