African scientific production today represents only a tiny part of global research (3% in 2016). Moreover, it is very unevenly distributed on the continent. Countries of North, East and Southern Africa are in a much more favorable situation than countries of West and Central Africa: the French-speaking countries are thus far behind the English-speaking countries. National research funding is still low, and African research relies heavily on international aid: ODA is still largely untouched by this topic, which is giving more and more space to philanthropy.
However, just as in developed countries, or even with greater urgency, African countries need to rely on locally developed expertise and innovation in order to meet the economic, technological, environmental and social challenges they face. Developing research at the national level also means regaining control over local knowledge and inventing countries’ own development trajectory. Nevertheless, international aid plays a central role in the identification, financing and implementation of African research, a role that should be questioned.
This event has been held on June 11, 2021. It was divided into two webinars:
