Eco-Innovation and Sustainable Business Performance in Africa: A Systematic Review of Emerging Evidence

Abstract

This study systematically reviews how eco-innovation influences sustainable business performance (SBP) in Africa. Searches across six databases (Emerald, EBSCOhost, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, and Google Scholar) from 2000 to March 2024 yielded 182 records, with 14 studies meeting inclusion after PRISMA 2020 screening and CASP quality appraisal. Using Tranfield’s three-stage protocol and thematic synthesis, we analyzed eco-innovation types, sectoral distribution, and SBP outcomes. Evidence is concentrated in manufacturing and seven countries, with most studies published since 2020. Eco-process and eco-product innovations dominate, consistently delivering environmental benefits, while economic gains often lag due to high upfront costs, and social outcomes are seldom assessed. Eco-organizational and eco-marketing innovations, along with agriculture and services sectors, remain underexplored. Most studies adopt cross-sectional designs, limiting causal insights. The review calls for longitudinal and mixed-method approaches, broader sectoral and geographic coverage, and supportive policy measures such as green finance, targeted tax incentives, and local innovation hubs. Findings offer practical guidance for researchers, managers, and policymakers seeking to scale eco-innovation and achieve balanced, sustainable performance in African contexts.