Co-hosting the world's largest radio telescope raises South Africa's scientific standing. But it must also help meet the country's social needs.

It's time to move from debate to action with new mechanisms for funding research into diseases faced by developing countries.

Millennium Science Initiative funding has produced an impressive range of projects in Uganda. The government is wrong to bring it to an end.

African countries now have a snapshot of their science spending. They should use it to improve policy and address development priorities.

Japan is the latest country to give scientific cooperation with developing countries a higher profile in its foreign aid policies.

Zimbabwe's new science minister faces a daunting task in rebuilding his country's scientific capacity. He deserves all the help he can get.

Getting science into policymaking is challenging — but a recent workshop for African parliamentary researchers suggested new ways forward.

Commodity price rises are no substitute for long-term investment in infrastructure and capacity as a means of securing sustained development.

Disagreement on how to create collaborative centres of excellence in Africa could weaken the continent's efforts for scientific revival.

Defining an appropriate policy-making role for Africa's scientific community requires a careful balance between 'science push' and 'demand pull'.

Building an effective and accountable way to fund science and technology across Africa is a major challenge facing the region’s leaders and scientific communities. You are invited to join the debate.

Next January, the heads of member states of the African Union will meet to discuss science and technology in what will be a unique opportunity to support the continent's scientific renaissance.