DPMN Bulletin: Volume X, Number 4, November 2003

Introduction

It is widely recognized that if Africa is to achieve sustained development and economic growth in the 21^st century, the creation and effective use of science and technology will be essential. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in science and technology issues in relation to their contribution to well-being. Several organizations, researchers and academics have produced documents that outlined priorities in African science and technology and set forth policy options. Such efforts recognize that well thought of policies are central to achieving key goals such as alleviating poverty, raising living standards, creating good jobs, ensuring security, strengthening education, improving public health, and protecting the environment.

It is evident that Africa is making some progress in S&T. Many countries have shown positive actions, by creating the dedicated ministries for S&T, and these ministries have produced policies for implementation. However, in many cases such policies were not integrated with other sectoral policies, and therefore, involved separate strategies that have no link to national development. Also many of these actions are still designed or greatly influenced by international financial institutions and donor countries and they are not implemented as they should be. Lack of functioning institutions is one of the main factors restraining Africa's quest for technological change. There are also historical as well as current factors contributing to this situation. This paper will look at some of these