Moving African science forward - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences

An continent-wide framework is necessary, argues an advisor to the New Partnership for Africa's Development To succeed in its aspirations of regional and global economic integration, Africa must develop a true continent-wide knowledge and innovation base rather than rely on fragmented national research efforts. Continental programs for science, technology and innovation can add value to individual national R&D efforts by providing opportunities to mobilize and share financial, technical, and infrastructural resources among countries. Doing so achieves both national and regional public goals. Continental collaboration in science and technology can also contribute to building the confidence and capacities of weak countries. Such collaboration provides the basis for learning, in R&D and policy-related activities. Countries are likely to be more confident in "collective experimentation" than when doing it on their own. Through collective experimentation, there is also a better likelihood of reducing the risk of failure. Promoting cooperation for both regional and continental science and technology requires focusing on the construction of trans-national R&D networks, strengthening Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to facilitate design and implementation of related programs, and adopting common science, technology, and innovation policies. To effectively respond to the changes in scientific research and with the emergence of new techno-economic opportunities, new agreements are needed among institutions. In particular, by pulling together many country's resources, large facilities can be established and sustained which will enable a greater concentration and impact in African research and innovation.. These are some of the ambitions collectively articulated by African countries in African Ministerial Council...