AfDB Endorses African Renaissance Institute for Science and Technology

The project received widespread endorsement, emphasizing its potential to transform Africa through research and innovation.

During its 2024 Annual Meetings, the African Development Bank (AfDB) held a high-level session with representatives from the African scientific community to discuss the implementation of the African Renaissance Institute for Science and Technology (ARIST). The project received widespread endorsement, emphasizing its potential to transform Africa through research and innovation.

Hendrina Chalwe Doroba, Head of the Education and Skills Development Division for East Africa at the AfDB, highlighted the critical role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Africa's development. According to UNESCO, only 22% of students in Africa pursue STEM careers, compared to higher percentages in other regions. This disparity is attributed to inadequate national budgets and weak policies, particularly regarding higher education. African countries spend only 0.2% to 0.9% of their GDP on technical and vocational education and higher education, compared to 1.24% in high-income countries.

Doroba stated, "The African Development Bank is proposing the establishment of an African Renaissance Institute for Science and Technology to train a critical mass of Africans and help them spearhead the continent's economic transformation."

Challenges and Opportunities

The session included input from African and international scientists, who discussed the challenges of establishing ARIST. They emphasized the need for Africa to leverage its potential and increase investment in education, research, and innovation.

Professor Wole Soboyejo, a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at Princeton University, urged Africa to emulate the "Asian dragons" by preparing its young population for the fourth industrial revolution.

Professor Esther Akinlabi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Northumbria University, advocated for investments in advanced sectors such as robotics and bio-manufacturing.

Professor Jerry John Kponyo from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology highlighted innovative AI projects for early disease detection and treatment, and assistance for people with reduced mobility.

Professor Gebisa Ejeta, a geneticist at Purdue University and World Food Prize winner, stressed the need to strengthen food security institutions and develop a robust seed industry using genetic selection techniques.

Roadmap for Implementation

The scientific community expressed strong support for ARIST, emphasizing the need for early involvement of young Africans and the industrial sector to ensure compatibility between production and the business environment. The proposed roadmap includes:

High-Level Political Dialogue: Engaging public authorities to support the initiative.

Think Tank Development: Creating a think tank to defend the process and develop programs.

Establishing the Secretariat: Setting up the institute’s secretariat and network.

Skill Development: Focusing on areas with high demand.

Market Transition: Implementing accelerators to facilitate the transition from ideas to markets and sustainable development.

The AfDB has committed to supporting the platform and identifying “champion” countries willing to host the initiative. The Bank has previously invested $24.7 million in three Nelson Mandela Institutes: the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering in Burkina Faso, the African University of Science and Technology in Nigeria, and the African Institution of Science and Technology in Tanzania.

 

The ARIST project represents a strategic step in Africa's transformation, aiming to pool African efforts, share challenges, and create solutions. With strong endorsement from the scientific community and backing from the AfDB, the initiative is poised to advance Africa's research and innovation capabilities, driving economic growth and sustainable development.