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Innovating the future. (EPA/Nic Bothma)
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When it comes to scientific research and
innovation, Africa is a global laggard. The continent contributes a paltry 1% of the world’s research output, a far cry from its position
as the world’s second most populated continent.
Much of this problem is compounded by low-quality
educational curricula, not to mention global funding that is skewed towards
health and agricultural development and less so on science, technology,
mathematics, and engineering projects. (STEM).
But all is not lost—as more and more African
researchers broaden their horizon and engage in much-needed projects. These
projects tackle issues ranging from food security, energy, transportation, to
poverty, diseases like malaria and HIV, immunization,
not to mention the challenges stemming from climate change. This has seen the number of papers from African
researchers double in just over a decade, improving in quantity, quality, and
international citation according to data from Scopus, the largest database of peer-reviewed literature.
But an increasing number of institutions,
individuals and governments are also heralding a new era for scientific
research by providing funds for diverse and Africa-specific scientific solutions. These include the Grand Challenges Africa Grants,
which this year partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to
provide US$7 million in grants over the next five years for scientific breakthroughs in
maternal healthcare and precision medicine in Africa.
There’s the Kwame Nkrumah Scientific award from
the African Union, which gives US$100,000 to top African scientists who provide innovations in life and earth science.
The Next Einstein Fellowship, which
recognizes and awards Africa’s distinguished scientists under the age of 42.
Top continental and global corporations have also
started investing in innovation projects in Africa. In early November,
pharmaceutical and consumer good company Johnson & Johnson announced the
launch of its 100,000 Africa Innovation Challenge. Besides early child development, the award focuses on
providing solutions for empowering young women and improving family well-being.
Five years ago, telecommunications company Etisalat also launched its
innovation prize that rewards products, services or ideas that promote mobile broadband usage—a
key driver of smartphone adoption in the continent. In Kenya, IBM launched its first hub in
Africa in 2013, with the aim of driving and supporting homegrown innovation.
Observers say that the springing of all these
funding opportunities is a testament to the talent within the continent.
Speaking of the Grand Challenges project, Tom Kariuki from the Alliance for
Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa said, “Solutions for Africa’s
challenges do exist within the continent. As an African grant-making body, we
are focused on tapping the best minds on the continent to develop innovative
local solutions to our health and development challenges.”
Governments like Rwanda have also been proactive,
adopting a formal policy (pdf) on innovation and technology, and introducing a ministry of science to strengthen scientific development.
But progress across the continent is yet to be
even, with some African scientists leaving home because of lack of recognition or in search of better pastures. Egypt, a country with so many scientists, loses tens of
thousands of them to universities and research centers across Europe,
Japan, and the United States. One of those scientists, Ahmed Zewail, even
became a naturalized American citizen and went on to win the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1999.
The World Bank has also noted that higher
education systems in Africa are skewed towards disciplines such as humanities and social sciences.
Research funding in Sub-Saharan Africa also focuses primarily on health and
agricultural research, hindering the diversification of research efforts. But
“renewed focus on these fields should not be seen as shifting attention from
honoring excellence in the humanities and social sciences. Excellence is not a
zero-sum game,” said Calestous Juma, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School.
But to build an African future powered and
inspired by science, that challenge will have to start in the classroom.
Countries should develop curricula that encourage “science education for all,” a system rooted in exploration, tinkering, and application.
Eventually, innovation grants can play a role in revolutionizing scientific research, improving employment and reversing brain drain in Africa. But as funding for projects continues to trickle in, countries will need to be ready to supply the right manpower to take up these opportunities.
Originally published on QUARTZ AFRICA
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