African countries urged to scale up Science, technology and innovations to meet the Millennium Development Goals

By Shadrack Kavilu

Nairobi, Kenya-A regional institution on science and technology policy is calling on African governments to scale up investments in science and technology in order to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

African Technology and Policy studies Network (ATPS) warns that unless governments bolster investments in science, technology and innovation, African countries would not attain the MDGs target of 2015.

Despite the continent’s endowment with abundant natural resources, intellectual capital, indigenous knowledge and culture, poor governance and political instabilities are the major challenges hindering achievement of significant development goals in Africa.

Dr. Kevin Urama, the ATPS executive director says that political instability and poor governance has led to conflicts, low human capacity and outputs resulting in food insecurity.

The continent, he said has failed to invest adequately in science, technology and innovation which are source and drivers of economic growth.

This, he said was evident in Africa’s low and declining public expenditure on research and development which has made  the continent lag behind in key science, technology and innovation indicators.

Speaking during a workshop in Nairobi, convened by AFTS to highlight topics that will be addressed during a major conference to held later in  Cairo, Egypt, Urama noted that the conference would generate a clear understanding of the current state of Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) in Africa.

“We will review the existing gaps and chart the way forward towards realizing the MDGs. Our objective is to build upon our existing network of experts across Africa who can provide genuine leadership and direction for sustainable Science, technology and innovation development in their respective countries,” he noted.

Urama emphasized the need for African countries to review their state of science; technology and innovation in a view aimed at identifying existing strategies that can help the continent fast track the Millennium Development Goals.

African countries, Urama said can achieve economic growth by strengthening capacity in STI through investments in research and development that can lead to the much desired sustainable development.

This, he said can be achieved through  implementing sound policies, programmmes, institutions and partnerships that would come up with long term sustainable developments that can sustain the rapid growth population in the continent.

Reports have shown that nations that have deliberately invested in science and technology have gained much success in improving the quality of life for their citizens.He however cautioned the continent to desist from adopting short term science and technology strategies whose budget is pegged on external financial support but instead look for long term solutions that can help in economic growth.

The main conference is being organized by the Egyptian Chapter of the ATPS and aims to appraise and equip African policymakers, science experts, private sector actors and civil society with the necessary skills to formulate and implement an integrated STI policy response that would counter the current global challenges.