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Science & Innovation Policy: R&D in Africa

Opinions

Here is a list of the latest articles

Africa Analysis: Continent must back TB research drive

International bodies are offering true research opportunities, but African funding is needed to prepare the ground, writes Linda Nordling.

4 April 2013 | EN | FR

African scientists

Scant funding for research facilities is hurting Africa

Donors must work with African countries to provide crucial science infrastructure, argues S&T policy scholar Nicholas Michael Bashour.

17 January 2013 | EN | FR

Africa Analysis: Filling climate data gaps is only the first step

Africa's ever-improving climate change data need to be put to better use if they are to help farmers and avert disasters, says Linda Nordling.

4 January 2013 | EN | FR

Africa Analysis: Kenya sending the wrong message about GM foods

Kenya has bypassed its own biosafety watchdog in banning GM foods, which will stifle balanced debate of GM in Africa, says Linda Nordling.

7 December 2012 | EN

Africa Analysis: Donors should focus on national R&D funds

Aid agencies and international research funders have a role in supporting Africa's nascent national science funds, writes Linda Nordling.

8 November 2012 | EN | FR

Africa Analysis: Uganda must streamline its science

A paralysed science system means that Uganda's desire to fund a landmark project out of its own coffers could backfire, says Linda Nordling.

4 October 2012 | EN

Africa Analysis: Kenya's ICT lab is just the beginning

IBM's choice of Kenya for its African research lab is not the end of private sector tech investment for other countries, says Linda Nordling.

6 September 2012 | EN | FR

Africa Analysis

Africa Analysis: Directing technology transfer from China

Technology transfer is a priority for a new phase in China–Africa cooperation — but it needs the right direction, says Linda Nordling.

2 August 2012 | EN | FR

Conference delegates

Africa needs local capacity for innovation research

Building a community of innovation scholars will promote locally relevant research and policy, say Bitrina Diyamett and Erika Kraemer-Mbula.

14 June 2012 | EN

Africa Analysis: A stellar win for Africa

Shared hosting of the Square Kilometre Array project with Australasia will not diminish the benefits for Africa, says Linda Nordling.

7 June 2012 | EN

Child with buruli ulcer

Africa's hidden scourge needs an integrated approach

Buruli ulcer could spread as agriculture intensifies in Africa, making prevention research vital, says agro-eco-health expert Rousseau Djouaka.

11 May 2012 | EN

Chabayanzara follows podcast instructions to draw cattle vaccine, Zimbabwe

Successful innovation depends on engaging the grassroots

Technological innovation can't be imposed on poor people — they must be engaged to select ideas that suit their lives, writes Lawrence Gudza.

2 May 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Africa Analysis: Taking charge of university fundraising

Stunning fundraising success at Stellenbosch University is a model for others in Africa, but leadership is crucial, says Linda Nordling.

1 May 2012 | EN | FR

Malaria researchers

Africa needs human resources strategy

Africa's health research capacity is growing but needs a stronger workforce, say Carel IJsselmuiden and colleagues.

Source: South Africa Medical Journal

10 April 2012 | EN

Africa Analysis: Innovating in a changing world

Africa must use this week's science forum to adapt its innovation initiatives to fit a changing world, argues Linda Nordling.

2 April 2012 | EN

Biomed Analysis: Why Africa must make its own drugs

There is a pressing need for Africa to bolster its pharmaceuticals industry, and that requires the right policy framework, argues Priya Shetty.

22 March 2012 | EN

Girl with bed net, Ethiopia

Taking life-saving innovations from lab to village

Improving health for the poor depends on nurturing local innovations — and learning how to deliver them, argue Abdallah Daar and Peter Singer.

15 March 2012 | EN | FR

Africa Analysis: Finding a niche in malaria research

Africa needs to up its game in malaria research, but by doing what it does best, not by replicating Western research, says Linda Nordling.

7 March 2012 | EN | FR

Sudanese university students

South Sudan must turn its back on elitist education

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

1 February 2012 | EN | FR

Urban farmer, Mali

Africa needs new organisations that support innovation

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

Source: Science

13 December 2011 | EN