The Scientific and Technological Challenges in Africa

The Scientific and Technological Challenges in Africa

The development status of a country relies majorly on science and technology. This is evident by the fact that the countries which excel in science and tech happen to be the most developed, and vice versa. Acquisition of science and technology in most African countries is faced with numerous challenges. Some of the top challenges are highlighted in this article.

Low Priority Rating of Science

A majority of African countries consider factors such as national cohesion, economic growth, and development of democracy to be a lot more important than the acquisition of science and technology. This is despite the fact that science can contribute quite a lot in all those other sectors. Without the governments of the African countries setting science and technology aside as a major priority and investing in it, the residents do not get the opportunities to do the same.

Inadequate Funding

Science and technology usually require a lot of funding but offer great value for money. Lack of funds, therefore, makes scientific developments quite challenging. For example, scientists need to equip their libraries, field stations, and laboratories as well as procure various equipment and materials that they need to work. Without the funds to do so, they are unable to work.

Poor Management of Science

For science to thrive, there needs to be a competitive nature that takes merit into account. In many African countries, scientists simply get appointed to their positions by the government. There is no link between career progression and productivity in the scientific institutions that are run by the African states or governments. The organization and management should be such that the scientists are allowed freedom to operate and get rewarded only based on their competence in a bid to develop a competitive nature.

Weak Educational Systems

The number of students who progress to higher education in science is quite low in Africa. University education is even considered as a reserve for only a select few in some of the countries. The African universities also are somewhat underfunded. This means that they do not have all the relevant resources needed to empower students with scientific knowledge. The result is that African countries continue to rely majorly on the western countries for their scientific needs.

Lack of Industrial Base

For science to thrive in a country, the country should have a well-developed service industry. The service industry provides a good framework for science. In the African counties, nearly all the science tools are imported, including those that can be easily manufactured in the countries. In other words, increasing the dependence on imported science instruments is kind of tantamount to increasing science. A great industrial base can be set in Africa by the countries beginning to develop some of the equipment that they need on their own.

Ultimately, Africa has great potential for thriving in the world of science. The African countries simply need to realize that science will open up the doors to success in all the other sectors. Prioritizing and channeling sufficient resources to science is a great way to start.