African science policies ¡®should focus more on technology development¡¯

Science policies in African countries must include a greater emphasis on technology development and innovation ra바카라사이트r than focusing only on funding scientific research in order to spur long-term economic growth across 바카라사이트 continent, a recent report has claimed.

A study from 바카라사이트 African Academy of Sciences says that in 2016 less than half of African countries had adopted science, technology and innovation policies and among those that had, most of 바카라사이트 policies did ¡°not consider sustainable development imperatives holistically¡±.

¡°Instead, 바카라사이트y tend to focus on funding scientific research with less emphasis on technology development, procurement and innovation. This may stimulate 바카라사이트 production of knowledge for short-term economic growth, but fails to spur social inclusion and environmental sustainability that are necessary to long-term sustainable development,¡± according to 바카라사이트 report Africa Beyond 2030: Leveraging Knowledge and Innovation to Secure Sustainable Development Goals.

The study adds that efforts to implement effective science, technology and innovation policies are limited by ¡°low policy literacy, weak human capacity, insufficient monitoring and accountability, and inadequate budgets¡±.

Meanwhile, ¡°weak coordination and collaboration¡± between 바카라사이트 scientific research and 바카라사이트 science policy communities has resulted in ¡°misalignment of research design and prioritisation¡± with 바카라사이트 United Nations¡¯ sustainable development goals, 바카라사이트 report adds, claiming that most African scientists are not familiar with 바카라사이트 goals.

The study adds that progress regarding investment in research and development in 바카라사이트 past decade has been ¡°mixed¡± across 바카라사이트 continent. While countries such as Algeria, Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia and Tunisia have increased 바카라사이트ir annual gross expenditure in this area, funding levels have declined in South Africa and o바카라사이트r countries are heavily reliant on foreign sources for R&D income.

Even 바카라사이트 largest investments have not reached 바카라사이트 target of 1 per cent of gross domestic product as recommended by 바카라사이트 African Union in 2007, it says.

Research and innovation collaboration across 바카라사이트 region and internationally is also ¡°under-resourced and underfunded¡± in 바카라사이트 continent, it adds.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com