Knowledge-based society: the game changer for Africa

Lazarus Sauti

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knowledge-driven economy is one in which the generation and use of knowledge will come to play the major part in the creation of wealth.

It is not simply about pushing back the frontiers of knowledge but it is about the effective use and exploitation of different types of knowledge in all manner of economic activity.

It is a naked fact that today information spins around the world quicker than ever before with entirely new products and services such as digital television, laptop computers and global positioning systems.

Production methods have also been transformed due to the escalation of knowledge. For instance, electronic commerce and the information highway have made it easier for organisations to do business with each other, transforming the ways in which customers, suppliers and competitors interact.

It is also critical to note that there has been a faster rate of growth in scientific and technical knowledge in recent years and this is key to a knowledge based economy. Older technologies have been replaced by integrated approaches such as Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CADCAM) with the electronic transfer of information.

Moreover, fundamental advances have additionally taken place in areas such as genetics and biology where new generations of products have been created.

Consequently, to improve economic performance, Africa has to make the most of the opportunities offered by a knowledge-driven economy.

In a knowledge driven economy, the economy is only as strong as its capabilities in skills such as science base, technology, enterprise, innovation and effective capital markets.

More so, in a knowledge-based society, all forms of knowledge (scientific, tacit, vernacular, embedded; practical or theoretical, multisensorial or textual, linearly or hierarchically organised or organised in network structures) are communicated in new ways; and as the use and misuse of knowledge has a greater impact than ever before, equal access to knowledge by the population is vital.

This is why African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr Elham Ibrahim, believes that that the switch from agricultural based economies to knowledge based societies will allow African countries to reduce the current high poverty levels.

“One of the targets of the African Union is for the continent to make the transition to a knowledge based society, so that all citizens have access to equal education and employment opportunities,” says Ibrahim.

Information Communication and Technology (ICT) is now the dominant force for innovation and development.

Thus, countries within the great African continent should prioritise it to transform their respective economies.

“Broadband has the power to revolutionise education, no matter where the student is based,” she said, adding, “ICT has already enabled Africa to make socio economic leaps but it is still in the early stages of harnessing its full potential.”

Thus, to effectively transit into knowledge based societies; African countries should use their vast natural resources and effectively embrace the use of ICTs as economic game changers. This is so since the introduction and intelligent use of ICT is a precondition for developing a knowledge society.

Importantly, the African Union has consciously crafted a continental wide strategy for natural resources management so that countries within the continent can follow and benefit from the resources.

“Most of Africa’s mineral resources and hydrocarbons are exported to other continents in raw form to the detriment of Africa. This should change and African countries need to expand value addition operations locally,” notes Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, as knowledge cannot be understood without culture, research on the interface between vernacular and scientific knowledge must be developed in all African countries.

More so, access to knowledge should be considered as a right and should be protected from short-term industrial interests limiting this access.

This means that there must be a continuous dialogue between society and science, thus promoting scientific literacy and enhancing the advising role of science and scholarship.

Harare based researcher, Collence Chisita also believes that scientific discourse should stop being gender-blind if countries across and within the African continent are to successfully transit from agriculture based economies into knowledge based societies.

Chisita says: “Barriers that prevent more women from choosing science careers and reaching top positions should be overcome.

“This means also that the young generation’s interest in science and commitment to the knowledge-led future of their countries should be stimulated by introducing innovative teaching methods, and by changing the image of the scientist, with the help of the media.”

Accordingly, for African countries to successfully integrate ICTs and sustainable development in order to participate in the knowledge economy, they need to intervene collectively and strategically.

This collective intervention should take in the development of effective local, national, regional and continental ICT policies that support the new regulatory framework, promote the selected knowledge production, and use of ICTs and harness their organisational changes to be in line with the continent’s development goals.