Dr.Henderson

Oil and Gas has been produced from UK reservoirs since 1967, and although the industry is past its peak, it remains an important contributor to the UK economy (Green & Keogh, 2000). UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) Production Efficiency (PE) and Well Delivery (WD) productive time is at 80%. This reflects continuing efforts by industry to improve operational efficiencies (Oil & Gas Authority, 2020). The 20% operational inefficiency in the UKCS is lost time and cost which could be invested to accelerate the energy transition to reliable renewable options that can be added into the energy mix. The HS&E Report (2022) notes that improvements in human performance and data sharing are important to tackle these inefficiencies.

The Ugandan financial sector comprises non-deposit-taking microfinance institutions and deposit-taking institutions. Microfinance institutions provide financial assistance to the underprivileged worldwide to finance their small businesses. According to Ssekiziyivu et al. (2018), microfinance institutions in Uganda are essential in providing loans to support small and medium-sized firms that employ a large portion of the country’s workforce. Most microfinance institutions are non- deposit-taking microfinance institutions which lend to the majority of the small and medium-sized firms that contribute 20% of the gross domestic product and employ more than 60% of the labour force.

A resilient region is seen as one that continues to prosper and maintain economic stability in the face of inevitable shocks and disruptions that occur over time (Christopherson et al., 2010, p. 134). The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and seize new opportunities, leading to increased innovation and competitive advantage, make such regions more attractive to businesses and investors by providing a stable environment in which to invest and grow. And, particularly, innovation systems at different levels (Rose & Krausmann, 2013) such as scientific communities of national academies of sciences are seen as key to developing regional resilience.