Africa needs knowledge economy using Science & Technology – World Bank

By Chris Alu

The World Bank Vice President for Africa, Mr. Makhtar Diop has said that Africans urgently need to acquire higher education in science and technology in order to enable them met the growing demand of the knowledge based economy.

Diop stated this yesterday at a forum organized by President Paul Kagama in Rwandan capital, according to him, Africans needs a larger number of scientists, engineers, and technicians who can meet the growing market demand of the knowledge economy and such expertise will contribute greatly to development and shared prosperity in their countries because of the emerging technological age that is fast approaching.

The forum which was with the Themed “Accelerating Africa’s Aspirations, was co-hosted by the Government of Rwanda, and one of Africa’s largest development partners in higher education. The forum aimed to boost science, technology, and engineering capability as a key driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa.

Participants at the forum include the (Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda), private sector participants and development partners issued a communiqué to the effect that they would invest

strategically in science, technology, and engineering education to accelerate Africa’s progress into a developed, knowledge-based society within a generation.

In his response, President Paul Kagame said: “I welcome the commitment to strengthen and mobilise resources for building capacity in scienceand technology, in our pursuit of Africa’s socio-economic

transformation. Our collective commitment must be followed by concrete action to drive innovation for the development of our people and our continent.”

Diop, who delivered the keynote address, said: “To be more competitive, expand trade, and remove barriers to entering new markets, Africa must expand knowledge and expertise in science and technology. Let us set some bold targets: that we will see a doubling of the share of university students graduating from African universities with degrees in mathematics, science and technology by 2025. The time has never been more auspicious to focus on highereducation, particularly in science, technology and mathematics, hestated.