International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South
Is Science, Technology and Innovation the driver of Africa’s development?
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are increasingly presented as central to Africa’s development. They are often positioned as mechanisms for accelerating economic growth, supporting industrialisation, and addressing persistent social and environmental challenges. However, while the potential is significant, there remains a wide gap between stated ambitions and the realities of implementation.
The current landscape of science and technology in Africa
Several countries in Africa have made notable progress in applying scientific and technological innovation to development challenges. Kenya’s mobile money systems, Rwanda’s use of drones for medical supply delivery, and the growth of renewable energy startups are examples of locally relevant innovation. There has also been an expansion of technology hubs, incubators, and research institutions across the continent, indicating growing interest in fostering innovation ecosystems.
Nevertheless, systemic limitations remain. Most African countries allocate less than one per cent of GDP to research and development, far below global averages. Infrastructure constraints, limited access to financing, and the migration of skilled professionals also restrict the ability of many countries to scale up STI. These gaps raise questions about the sustainability and reach of current initiatives.
The areas where STI is most urgently needed align closely with Africa’s core development challenges: agriculture, health, climate resilience, and digital access. For example, technologies that support climate-smart agriculture, affordable diagnostic tools, and decentralised renewable energy solutions address pressing needs that directly impact livelihoods.
The effectiveness of science, technology and innovation in Africa will depend on the extent to which innovation is directed toward these development priorities rather than being shaped by external models or short-term donor-driven projects.
Political rhetoric and delivery gap
International discussions on Africa’s development frequently emphasise the importance of STI, often accompanied by commitments to support technology transfer, financing, or capacity building. However, there is a noticeable gap between these commitments and practical delivery. In climate technologies, for instance, the financing directed to renewable energy infrastructure remains far below the continent’s requirements. Similarly, despite widespread recognition of the need for vaccine manufacturing capacity, Africa continues to rely heavily on imports, as highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. These examples illustrate how expectations surrounding science and technology are often not matched by the necessary resources or implementation strategies.
The importance of agency
For STI to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development, African governments, institutions, and communities must exercise agency in shaping the innovation agenda. This involves defining priorities, directing resources, and establishing governance frameworks that support local innovation and drive effective decision-making.
Regional initiatives provide opportunities in this regard. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could create larger markets for African innovations, while regional research networks could pool expertise and resources. At the national level, policy tools such as intellectual property frameworks, targeted procurement, and investment in research institutions are crucial for creating an enabling environment.
Local knowledge and grassroots innovation also play an important role. Farmers developing climate-resilient practices, health workers adapting technologies for rural contexts, and entrepreneurs designing tools for informal markets contribute directly to Africa’s innovation landscape. Recognising and supporting these actors is central to strengthening STI systems.
Failure to prioritise STIs carries clear risks. Continued reliance on external technologies could deepen dependency, limit competitiveness, and expose economies to external shocks. At the same time, without investment in local capacity, Africa risks falling further behind in the global knowledge economy, with implications for inequality and sustainable growth.
Moving forward, Africa’s ability to harness the potential of STI will depend on three interconnected priorities. First, there is a need to strengthen human capital through greater investment in education and research, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Building a skilled workforce is the foundation of any innovation system. Second, the financing landscape must be expanded to provide patient and risk-tolerant capital. This model requires coordinated efforts across public budgets, private sector investment, and blended financing mechanisms that enable innovative ideas to transition from pilot stages into scalable solutions. Finally, progress will rely on greater accountability and more consistent implementation. Bridging the gap between political commitments and actual delivery, both within African states and from international partners, will be essential to translate ambition into tangible outcomes.
STI will not address all of Africa’s development challenges, but it is an essential component of long-term transformation. Its success depends less on broad rhetoric and more on deliberate, coordinated action that places African agency at the centre. Ensuring that innovation responds to local needs while building sustainable systems for research and development will determine whether Science, Technology and Innovation becomes a meaningful driver of development on the continent.
