This paper presents a tool for the indicator-based analysis of national innovation systems (ANIS). ANIS identifies the economic strengths and weaknesses of a country-wide, regional or local system and includes a comprehensive examination and evaluation of the status of existing innovation systems. The use of a particular form of expert interviews at macro, meso and micro levels provides a detailed image of a national, regional or local economy. This analytical approach is intended mainly for emerging and developing countries, for which standard innovation benchmarking and monitoring approaches may not be appropriate. The ANIS approach provides a quick and comprehensive picture of the main scope of interventions for improving individual determinants of an innovation system. As a result, targeted policy measures can be formulated to address these determinants. Policy makers can thus benefit from clear advice when striving to overcome weaknesses in their innovation systems and in identifying those determinants that should receive special attention. An analysis of the local innovation system of Manaus in Brazil is presented here as an example. (Contains 1 table, 1 figure, and 3 notes.)