Africa lags behind other developing regions in local collaboration — and in building its own scientific capacity, says Linda Nordling.

South Sudan's prosperity depends on more public universities serving more students — and focussing on S&T, not humanities, says John A. Akec.

Open innovation is key to the success of iHub and can change the working culture of any community of innovators, says Linda Kamau.

The scientific community should create new intergovernmental organisations that promote innovative science in Africa, says Calestous Juma.

Angola has the money, connections and political will to be a force in African science. But will it tackle inequality, asks Linda Nordling.

Pragmatism must trump profit when African leaders commit to a green development agenda, argues Linda Nordling.

Few science centres offer hands-on experience for young people in Africa. Support is needed for an expansion plan, says Graham Durant.

'Boundary organisations' offer a space away from politics for scientists to engage government officials with their research, says Scott Drimie.

The East Africa famine calls into question the wisdom of investing in early warning systems without improving take-up, writes Linda Nordling.

Ambitious plans for a 'desert development corridor' in Egypt could provide a concrete example of the social value of science, says Athar Osama.

Critics looking for more from the first African Innovation Outlook should realise it is a solid base on which to work, says Linda Nordling.

Egypt's 'science city' will not build a science culture without its people empowered by academic experience abroad, argues Austin Dacey.

A new southern African climate plan is impressive, but needs more funding if it is to plug the continent's data gap, writes Linda Nordling.

Policies to stimulate African development require evidence that is difficult to obtain using existing indicators, says policy analyst Watu Wamae.

More girls will study natural sciences if social norms are challenged — there are no innate barriers, argues Emily Ngubia Kuria.

A policy to encourage women graduates in South Africa has worked. Now we must support women scientists, says science minister Naledi Pandor.

The African Union's new research and innovation survey is a treasure trove of data — and deserves better reporting, says Linda Nordling.

Science students will choose to study and work in Africa if they have access to high-quality training, says education adviser Sophie Rivière.

African innovation won't flourish unless more attention is paid to creating and sustaining markets for it, argues Linda Nordling.

Egypt has a chance to operate its science institutions as meritocracies — a difficult but critical task, says Bruce Alberts.