Harness science for growth, African leaders are told

Africa's success relies on its capability to harness its demographic dividend by equipping its youth with the technological and innovative skills which, in the longer term, will be a catalyst for economic growth, a recent African Union gathering of 10 heads of state heard.

In a keynote address at the African Union (AU) First Extraordinary Summit of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C10) Championing Education, Science and Technology in Africa, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 2 to 3 November, AU Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology Sarah Anyang Agbor described the meeting as an opportunity for leaders to reflect on what has to be amplified at the highest policy levels to foreground the AU’s commitment to building a human capital base to propel the economic transformation of the continent.

“Education, science and technology are now at the front and centre of the development debate in Africa. As the continent with the youngest population in the world, a trend that is expected to grow, it is imperative that concrete measures are put in place to harness the demographic dividend this accords us.”

Private sector partnerships

Highlighting the need for private sector partnerships in producing employable graduates, she said: “Students exiting the education systems must be graduating with skills that reflect what employers actually need. They must effectively be the talent pipeline from which our industries grow.

“This is only possible if the private sector is better represented on our education governance structures, the vocational training programmes, and in curriculum design.

“We must encourage private sector partners to offer apprenticeships, internships and certification programmes. These steps will help bridge the gap between what's being taught in our learning institutions and the realities of the job market,” she said.

The AU-C10 was instituted by the AU in 2016 on the understanding that education, science, technology and innovation remain the primary instruments that will enable Africa to effectively implement its long-term vision of a transformative Agenda 2063.

The committee includes two presidents from each of the AU's five continental regions and therefore draws its membership from Senegal, Chad, Egypt, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Tunisia.

The committee is chaired by Macky Sall, president of Senegal. Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, the president of Malawi, is the second vice-chairperson.

In his remarks, Mutharika emphasised the need for African countries to promote lifelong learning opportunities for its people in science and technology to support the Africa-Must-Industrialise agenda.

Adequate funding

He said for Africa to develop there is need for education and skills in science and technology through adequate and sustainably financed education.

“The Africa we have today is the product of its education systems or our lack of the same. We can change Africa by changing what we do in education,” he said.

The Malawi leader observed that Africa needs to turn its assets into capital and as such, education, science and technology are needed to empower people to be productive forces of progress.

“Labour as a factor of production will take us to African industrialisation, which demands a skilled labour force. We need to cultivate scientific, technological and innovation skills,” he said.

Prime Minister of Senegal Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne said countries could not progress in their development efforts without a significant increase in scientific production, but sufficient funding was needed.

“Investing in education and training is vital, but the constraint is funding and this is a major challenge. If we are to progress in science and technology, there is a need to invest in this through adequate funding,” he said.

President of the Republic of Namibia Hage Geingob underscored the need for sustainable education and equitable access to education at all levels.