What Sci-Tech Issues can Africa Learn from the Developed World?

saharaAfrica is powerful continent which has the potential to support scientific and technological independence. It is currently in the midst of a surge in scientific development, and has the ability to strengthen its stance by gaining acclaim for new scientific innovations and cutting-edge research. The future needs of the continent and the millions of people that inhabit it, from the administration of water and food to ecological projects, are vulnerable to, and reliant on the degree of science and technology that Africa attains. The last ten years have shown a boom in activity, and commendable targets such as pledging to invest in research and development programs using 1% of the GDP, have been set by the governing bodies. Unfortunately however, pledges do not always materialize. Thus far, the 1% target has only been achieved by three countries: South Africa, Malawi, and Uganda; and a large number of others are a long way from the target. The positivity of collective commitment and promises made internationally, have however, given Africa an optimistic and supportive boost in the right direction.

Dr Alvaro Sobrinho, an Angolan by birth and now Chairman of the UK & Rwandan-based charity Planet Earth Institute is well and truly behind this push for [tp lang=”en” only=”y”]scientific independence[/tp][tp not_in=”en”]scientific independence[/tp]

. Throughout Africa, scientific research centres are making positive headway, and African scientists are receiving acclaim; although the output of peer reviewed research papers is minimal, and far surpassed by other parts of the world. Alvaro Sobrinho: “But on the question, as one example, Africa as a whole has around 35 scientists and engineers per million inhabitants, compared with around 130 in India, 168 for Brazil and 450 in China, never mind the figures of 2,457 and 4,103 for Europe and the United States respectively. I’m not going to say a magic number but it should be obvious to everyone that we need to increase those percentages to around the levels of other fast-developing growth regions.” (ref)

On the bright side, within the union, independent countries are diligently working with an increasing zest to actively harness science and technology: at the time of the elections in Nigeria in 2010, as soon as President Goodluck Johnathan was elected, he showed his support by endowing a large sum of money to the Nigerian Academy of Science, as he knows that this progress is vital to attain his goal of seeing Nigeria in the ranks of the top global countries; and in Angola, the home of the PhD Center of Excellence, a governmental strategy to make education in science part of industrial enlargement, formed part of a 2011 policy for science and technology objectives.

Dr Sobrinho again: “in addition to contributions to the economy including investment in Angola’s ‘public debt documents’ and the sponsorship of a highly regarded refugee programme, social responsibility is also applied within the organisation, with nearly all employees sharing in profits and having access to benefits such as a pension fund.” (ref)

Whilst African science and technology institutions are going through a renaissance, it is crucial that the clear and present danger of the challenges on the horizon are addressed. It is imperative that the union steps up its collective development to a much higher degree, and recognises that the dangers of shallow and semi-permanent planning undermine future innovations and sustainability that are essential for Africa’s progress as a major continent, and world player.

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