African Think Tanks Drive Innovation Despite Funding Challenges
In a time of economic uncertainty with foreign aid dwindling and traditional donor funding becoming increasingly scarce, African think tanks are stepping up with a bold call on charting on a self reliant path through homegrown research and innovation.
Several policy makers, scholars, young inventors, and development collaborators gathered at the Evidence for Development Conference in Nairobi on Tuesday to engage in talks centered on scientific research and innovations aimed at achieving Agenda 2063 goals.
The event was funded by African Institute for Development Policy ( Afidep ) in collaboration with African Union Development Agency- Nepad (AUDA- Nepad ) and Science for Africa Foundation (SFA).
The spotlight was on how African institutions can lead from within in crafting solutions on ongoing challenges in various sectors including health, education, climate and unemployment.
The solutions were tailored to local needs, enhancing sustainable development, leveraging indigenous knowledge and reducing overdependence on external support.
Calls for embracing the Evidence Informed Policymaking (EIP) through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) grew louder to address the underlying issues.
Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba indicated that actions should be guided by evidence in speeding up locally developed solutions.
This aligned with the second Agenda 2063 initiative, which emphasized indigenous research and innovation to speed up industrialization, decrease reliance on imports, and enhance local value creation.
He stated that optimizing the roles of data, evidence, and innovation is crucial for generating prosperity among Kenyans and Africans as a whole.
This would consequently speed up the realization of the African Agenda 2063 vision as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To foster the economic development of our community and achieve the transformation of Africa, we must bear in mind that data forms the bedrock, evidence steers the way, and innovation powers the process. Ogamba stated during a speech delivered by Roselinda Owuor , the Director of Research Development in the Ministry of Education .
A fidep Eliya Zulu, who serves as Executive Director, renewed his appeal for the utilization of data evidence, particularly concerning the management and allocation of Africa’s resources.
He emphasized that now is an appropriate moment for Africa to acknowledge that its future depends on harnessing its untapped resources through its own efforts, highlighting the necessity for the continent to shift away from depending on foreign assistance.
Each year, substantial financial losses occur due to poor management, inefficiency, and blatant stealing. Studies indicate that corruption amounts to an annual loss exceeding $140 billion for the continent. This sum could sufficiently fund vital areas like education and health care. Data can and ought to assist us in tracking these leaks, pinpointing structural flaws, and implementing improved protections for government funds. ,” he said.
Eliya observed that considering Africa’s large and expanding populace of 1.5 billion individuals, expected to reach around 2.5 billion by 2050, it is crucial to harness this human resource potential, particularly among the young demographic.
The SFA Foundation CEO, Tom Kariuki, has emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific evidence and increasing investments in data, artificial intelligence, and the integration of digital infrastructure with governance as strategies to decrease reliance on external factors.
He pointed out an issue that commonly arises in the healthcare industry, where patients frequently undergo multiple screenings at various hospitals because their medical records are not integrated.
"A frequent source of frustration for patients is needing to undergo repeated medical examinations at various hospitals, despite these tests being conducted only a week prior. This issue typically arises because there isn’t an integrated system for sharing patient health records between healthcare providers," he explained.
Merging health records onto a single digital platform could cut down on time, decrease expenses, and make sure patients aren’t required to go to several laboratories for duplicate testing.
The conference marked a pivotal moment for Africa, as participants urged moving away from reliance on aid towards autonomous development fueled by indigenous research, innovation, and youthful leadership.
Minister of Higher Education Dr Jessie Kabwila (seen here in red) in Malawi urged for increased funding towards research, higher education institutions, and the overall knowledge system to develop the 21st-century workforce that Africa requires. .
She said: Africa's enrollment in higher education currently sits at approximately 9% per cent compared to an international average of 38 per cent Africa invests approximately 0.5%. per cent a portion equivalent to its GDP in research and development, as opposed to the worldwide average of 2.2% per cent Our research facilities frequently fall short, causing numerous talented individuals to depart the continent because of scarce prospects."
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