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The African continent would be far more self-reliant on science, technology, and innovations (STI) had it initially embarked on collaborations with countries that have moved a step ahead.

Science minister Dr Monica Musenero says most African countries have many prototypes but are not able to turn them into tangible products to benefit and solve the continent’s complex problems.

She cites this as the reason several African countries are lagging due to their overdependence on technologies made on other continents, which is even more expensive.

The science minister made these remarks at the official innovation launch on January 23, 2024, at Makerere University. The event attracted other dignitaries from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), headed by Elsie Attafuah, the outgoing resident representative at UNDP.

Musenero said as a former minister of the African Union special committee on STIs, she discovered that she was not the only one caught unaware regarding technology innovation; many on the continent were also unaware.

“We admire science and what it has done for others. But we seem to be standing on the left side when the benefit is on the right side, and we just don’t know how to cross over," she said.

Despite many universities having developed breathtaking prototypes, Musenero said they have failed to exploit them due to inadequate capacities. Numerous universities have asked for support but can hardly tell or figure out what kind of support they need. Such are the common issues that can be addressed if all scientists in the country are working together towards a common cause.  

Africa is at a stage where it should be making huge sums of money from its innovators, but teamwork remains a bottleneck. “Unless you convert your ideas into industries, then they will remain micro, internal, and non-job-generating except for a few individuals,” she stated.

She expressed that Uganda and Africa at large should be at a stage where they are earning money from its innovations if they are active and ready to be sold in markets as solutions to consumers. Accordingly, the African continent has more than enough market, but a large portion of the population imports from already established foreign countries.

“Can we sell these products in the external and internal markets? Can we put money into this system to keep it running? We must work towards putting products in the hands of customers instead of stopping at the innovation stage," the minister said.

According to her, for Africa to develop her STI, it would be necessary to move and support each other. She said Uganda has many lessons that it can teach other countries, and other countries can do the same.

“It will be an amplifier for us. I find that sometimes the ecosystem doesn’t appreciate the role of STI. And so, I ask the UNDP to take on this role as a facilitator and take us as Ministers of STI on the continent, so that we can catalyze development,” she said.

(L-R) Elsie Attafuah UNDP Resident Representative, Barnabus Nawangwe Vice chancellor Makerere University and Ahunna Eziakonwa UN Assistant General interacting during the launch of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD) at Makerere University on 23rd January 2023. (Photo by Godiver Asege)

Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP assistant administrator and regional director for Africa, believes that, whereas science and technology are seen as the top avenues for developing Africa, investing in the youth to get skills in technology would be the way to go. Eziakonwa said improved technology across the continent will spark quick entrepreneurial skill development in Africa.

“Young creatives in Zimbabwe will be able to move from the creative industry in Zimbabwe to Nigeria. Young people making shoes will be able to get the leather from Cameroon to Ethiopia. So being able to bring meaning to Africa through the start-up space and STI,” she said.

Not only depending on STI, but Eziakonwa also tasked political leaders with finding more opportunities for the youth who are willing and zealous to grow the continent.

Makerere University vice-chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe commended the efforts of UNDP towards technological advancement.