Fostering sustainable technological development across Africa

Lazarus Sauti

Based on information being supplied to media, Africa’s Information and Communication Technology industry is growing, and this revolution is boosted by the advent of mobile products and services.

The good news is also that this transformation or growth is a tonic to economic transformation in Africa. Leaders only need to sustain and place this growth to all developmental initiatives.

However, sustaining this growth is dependent on the identification and implementation of the right investment in information and communication technology, skills and innovation, and to effectively develop and profitably compete with other continents, African countries must of necessity, foster sustainable technological development.

They must embrace technology and use it as a game changer in social and economic aspects of development. Remember, embracing sustainable technological development is the only panacea to problems affecting the continent of Africa as it allows countries to utilise resources more efficiently and effectively.

This idea of fostering sustainable technological development, according to the Brundtland Commission, a committee tasked to pursue sustainable development in the world, should stem from the concept of progress that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

More so, the Commission believes that sustainable technological development is the only process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change are all in harmony to enhance both current and future potential of Africa to meet her needs and aspirations.

Engineer Umar Bindir, director-general of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Nigeria therefore believes that African countries should promote sustainable technological development in their respective countries if the continent is to solve problems that are hindering economic growth.

He further stresses the need for the promotion of indigenous technologies as the most effective way of fostering sustainable development.

“There is need for African countries to promote indigenous technologies so as to foster sustainable development. Only through the promotion of indigenous technologies and transfer of technology, countries can effectively transform their economies,” Bindir says.

Professor Wole Soboyejo, research scientist, highlights the need to bridge the technological divide if Africa is to develop sustainably.

“Africa should close the digital divide first if she is to transform her economy. Bridging the technological divide, without doubt, is an economic way to foster political, economic, social and environmental development,” says Soboyejo; also urging governments to make funds available to enable their countries build the capacity, particularly in science and technology.

Sharing same views on funding, Calestous Juma, an internationally recognised authority in the application of science and technology to sustainable development worldwide, notes: “Increasing funding for national, regional, and continental programmes for science and technology; and supporting the establishment of national and regional centers of excellence in science and technology is key if the continent of Africa needs to effectively foster sustainable technological development.”

Juma also urges African governments to establish and standardise the registration of technology transfer centres and to successfully promote technology for sustainable development.

He says policy decision makers must ensure that technology transfer centres are building synergies with research and development institutions, professional bodies, academics and industries not only to narrow the technological gap but also to ensure social and economic advancement.

Since a sustainable future is one in which a healthy environment, economic prosperity and social justice are pursued simultaneously to ensure the well-being and quality of life of present and future generations, Juma believes education must play a crucial role to attaining this future.

Education institutions in African countries must propagate sustainable social and technological development by always looking for ways that make an economic impact and show children opportunities that exist in the technology field.

Sadly, it is widely recognised in Africa that poor education and lack of access to technology are major stumbling blocks to economic competitiveness and social equality, and as feeder subjects for sustainable technological development and careers in Information and Communication Technology, the low quality of maths and science education in the continent is thus alarming.

African countries should, therefore, come up with measures that encourage more youths to take up studies in science, technology, and engineering education; and promote and support research and innovation activities and the related human and institutional capacities.

They should also seriously embrace technology to cultivate political, economic, social and technological progress in Africa if the continent is to reap key principles of sustainable development.

In essence, sustainable development is about five key principles: quality of life; fairness and equity; participation and partnership; care for our environment and respect for ecological constraints - recognising there are ‘environmental limits’; and thought for the future and the precautionary principle.

Frankly, technology is changing economic fortunes of many countries in the world. Africa must embrace it.