www.atpsnet.org
Issue No 0009

June 2017

ISBN 9978-9966-030-92-4

AFRICAThis is the official newsletter of the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)

Highlights:
ATPS signs a Protocol of Agreement with the African
Development BankTransforming Africa’s Education Sector throughTechnology
Politics of Innovation: Why some Countries are
Better than others at Science and Technology

African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS Vision:
To become the leading international centre of excellence and reference in science, technology andinnovation systems research, training and capacity building, communication and sensitization, knowledge brokerage, policy advocacy and outreach in Africa.
ATPS Mission:
To improve the quality of science, technology and innovation systems research and policy making in
Africa by strengthening capacity for science and technology knowledge generation, communicationand dissemination, use and mastery for sustainable development in Africa.
Overall Objective:
To develop Africa’s STI capacity (knowledge basis & infrastructure, knowledge circulation & networks,
knowledge conditions & policies) today for sustainable African development tomorrow.
ATPS Motto:
Building Africa’s capabilities in science, technology and innovation policy research, policymaking andpolicy implementation for sustainable development.

INSIDE•ATPS signs a Protocol of Agreement with the African
Development Bank•

Africa’s Energy Crisis: Time to Look Inward•

ATPS participates at the Solar Radiation Management
Governance Initiative Workshop•

Editor in Chief:

The Role of Inclusive Partnership Arrangements in AgroFood Chains in Ghana: Benefits for Private Actors and
Implications••

ATPS participates at the Innovative Strategies for address-

Sharon Anyango

shopProf. Stefano Pascucci
Prof. Liesbeth Dries
Prof. Slyvestor Ndeso Atanga
Dr. Alexander Nuer
Yusuff Utieyineshola
Felix Asante
Hillary Ragen
Kingsley Ukoba
Hindu Nabulumba
Nadia Hassan

Transforming Africa’s Education System throughEmergence of Vision 2035: ATPS Cameroon Chapter•

Research and Development creates New Knowledge:
ATPS Sudan Chapter
ATPS Staff participates at the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in Lancaster University
Politics of Innovation: Why some Countries are Better
than Others at Science and Technology•

Editor:Contributors:••

Dr. Nicholas Ozor

ing Africa’s Structural Developmental Challenges Work-

Technology•

EDITORIAL TEAM

Design and Layout:
Sharon Anyango

Scholarships/Opportunities2www.atpsnet.org

Chairman’s Message

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGEL

ast year in July, the ATPS held its annual stakeholders’forum with an aim to review its current Phase VII
Strategic Plan (2013-2018) and align it with the
African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Science, Technology
and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2024), and the UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so as to serve its
numerous stakeholders better. In the proposed new Strategic
Plan Phase VIII (2017-2022), ATPS has shifted its focus fromthe usual programmatic approach to emphasize on a sectoral
approach by identifying Africa’s priorities for sustainable
development. Based on this, the stakeholders identified four
key sectoral areas including Agriculture, Food and nutrition;
Energy; Climate change and environmental management;
and Health innovations.
Under the Climate change and environmental management
sector, ATPS will continue with its work in building climatechange resilient capacities at individual, institutional andsystematic levels on the continent. We will also continue
to promote the Climate Sense Program (CSP) which ATPS
launched in 2008 in partnership with the United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP) which aims to make sense ofclimate science through effective science communication,
make sense of climate economics through policy analyses,
make sense of climate innovation through investment
portfolio analyses and innovation incubation programs, andmake sense of climate politics and policymaking throughscenario analyses and training programs.

Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak
variability hence improving agricultural productivity andclimate change resilience. We continue to solicit for support
from development agencies so that we can out-scale theuse of the app across Africa. The app has been successfully
deployed in Samburu, Baringo, Kisumu, and Meru counties in
Kenya and in Namibia where ATPS has received supports toout-scale the technology.

ATPS in its proposed new strategic plan will identify andpromote technologies and innovations for improving
productivity and resilience, reducing waste and improving
value addition along the agricultural food chain from the farmto the table. One of such technologies for building resiliencecapacities of farmers while improving their productivity is theaward winning LandInfo mobile app. The app was developedby the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-ARS)
in partnership with the ATPS and other global actors andlaunched in 2015.

Thank you for your continued supports for the ATPS
programmes. We welcome more supports as we commence
the implementation of our new Phase VIII ATPS Strategic Plan
2017-2022.

Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, PhD, FKIM, FAAS FASI,FTWAS,MBS
Director, Division for Africa, Department of Technical Coop.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Vienna, Austria
Chair, ATPS Board of Directors

ATPS is currently out-scaling the LandInfo mobile technology
across Africa and among farmers, extension agents and landuse planners to build their resilience capacities to the impactsof climate change and improve productivity as well. The app
enables users to deepen their knowledge on the biophysicalcharacteristics of soils and be able to target investments onland for specific purposes such as crop choices for specificsoils. With knowledge on annual average rainfall andtemperature, average water retention capacity, aridity index,
and name of the soils at point-given locations among othervariables produced by the app, farmers are able to plan theirfarming enterprises adequately to avoid losses due to climate3

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ED’s Message

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGEI

welcome you to read this new edition of the ATPS
Technopolicy Africa Newsletter which has very many
exciting news and information. Overall, the ATPS
continues to contribute significantly in promoting
science, technology and innovation (STI) Agenda in Africa. This
agenda envisions STI as a means for achieving the sustainable
development goals, the African Union’s Agenda 2063
(including STISA 2024) and various national development
priorities.
ATPS has witnessed lots of activities during the last threemonths that confirms our strength and contributions to theoverall STI Agenda in Africa. For instance as an implementing
partner to the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in
Africa responsible for providing platforms for networking over
15 African Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in 15 countries, wehave in partnership with our donors and partners identified
the theme for this year’s SGCI Annual Forum scheduled tohold in Livingstone, Zambia from 22-23 November 2017. The
theme tagged “Towards Effective Public-Private Partnerships
in Research and Innovation in Africa” was carefully selectedbased on necessity and demand.
As Africa articulates its vision for socio-economictransformation by improving its research and innovation
systems for the implementation of STISA-2024, discussions
on strengthening partnerships between the public andprivate sector have been reignited. African governments
have pledged their supports for partnerships as a vehicle
for achieving sustainable transformation and committed to“the development, coordination and sustenance of networks
and partnerships at national, regional, continental andglobal levels”. Effective public-private partnerships have thepotential to address societal development challenges throughthe combination of skills, competencies and expertise to
overcome individual limitations. Flourishing public-private
partnerships can increase public sectors’ responsiveness tothe transformation of innovation processes and associatedprivate sector needs and strategies, as well as enhance thetranslation of research results and outputs into innovations.

Dr. Nicholas Ozor
to stimulate private and public investments in research andinnovation.
As we plan to hold this very important event in November thisyear, we urge all STI stakeholders, actors and development
practitioners to become part of the agenda and contribute
their own quota towards fostering effective public-private
partnerships in research and innovation in Africa. The SGCI
is funded by the International Development Research Centre(IDRC), Canada; the National Research Foundation (NRF); South
Africa; and the Department for International Development(DFID), UK. It is a 5 year initiative that aims to strengthen
capacities of Science Granting Councils to support researchand evidence-based policies that contribute to economic
and social development on the continent. The SGCI theme on
Networking Africa’s SGCs is being implemented by the African
Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) in partnership with
the Scinnovent Centre.

The motivations for pursuing public-private partnerships
however differ depending on each actor’s interests. Such
motivations may include: access to knowledge, expertise,skills, networks and contacts; access to funding; improved
stakeholder relations; improved reputation and credibility;
increased operational efficiencies and effectiveness; creationof more appropriate services and products; access to and/or
knowledge of new (future) markets; access to and more insight
into business operations, current markets and supply chains;and increased leverages/impacts. The Science Granting
Councils as government intermediaries have a crucial role toplay in catalyzing and facilitating public-private partnerships

Thank you all for your continued supports that have enabled
us implement ATPS programs.

Dr. Nicholas Ozor,
Executive Director, ATPS4

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Protocol of Agreement

ATPS SIGNS A PROTOCOL OF AGREEMENT WITH THE
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

From Left: Dr. Olufunso Somorin- Senior Policy Officer(AfDB), Dr. Nicholas Ozor -ATPS Executive Director and Mr. Onesmus Maina-Senior Agricultural Expert, EARC/OSAN (AfDB) during the signing of a protocol of agreement between ATPS and AfDB.

By Dr. Nicholas Ozor

T

he African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
has signed a Protocol of Agreement (POA) with the
African Development Bank (AfDB) for the implementation of the Bank’s Clim-Dev Special Fund (CDSF)
Project tagged “Bridging climate information gap to strengthen
capacities for climate informed decision-making in Africa”. The
CDSF is a multi-donor fund established by the African Development Bank under a tripartite partnership with the African
Union Commission (AUC) and the Economic Commission for
Africa (ECA). It is currently capitalized to Euro 33 million with
contributions from the Nordic Development Fund, Swedish
International Development Agency and the European Union.

The overall goal of the ATPS’s CDSF project is to strengthen
the capacities of relevant stakeholders in five countries (Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tunisia) to understand anddeploy appropriate climate information and best practices
to inform decision-making. It aims to support development
planning to reduce vulnerability and foster a food-secure Africa. Specifically, the project will:
1.
2.

The Director General, East Africa Regional Development andBusiness Delivery Office of the African Development Bank, Mr.
Gabriel Negatu signed the POA on behalf of the AfDB while Dr
Nicholas Ozor, Executive Director, African Technology Policy
Studies Network signed on behalf of the ATPS. The ceremony
took place at the AfDB Regional Offices in Nairobi, Kenya on 16
June 2017 marking the commencement of implementation of
the two year project.

3.

Identify and analyze climate information needs and provide support for climate information synthesis and use;
Build the capacities and knowledge of government agencies, research institutions, extension agents, and contact
famers to utilize high quality, demand-driven climate information for adaptation planning and decision-making;
Facilitate the mainstreaming of climate change issues inregional policy dialogue aimed at raising awareness on
climate change issues to strengthen understanding, use
and mastery of climate information.

The project will strengthen the capacity of national governments in the selected countries to understand and deploy appropriate climate information and best practices for effective

5

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Protocol of Agreement

Dr. Olufunso Somorin (Left) congratulates the ATPS for receiving a grant award to implement the AfDB project on “Bridging climate
information gap to strengthen capacities for climate informed decision-making in Africa.”
climate-proof policymaking and practices. Relevant national
institutions and organizations will benefit from their involvements in the project and the use of climate information database for long-term development and adaptation planning.
Through the climate information that will be made available
and accessible in this project, there will be increased awareness and sensitization on climate change issues that can promote the integration of climate information into national development agenda. The project will contribute to enhancing
the capacity of extension agents and contact farmers using
the LandInfo mobile app technology to collect climate information and use it to make informed decision for improving
agricultural productivity, land-use management and climate
resilience. Finally, the project will provide platforms to improve the working relationships between and amongst responsible national institutions to use and share relevant andunified climate information services and products.

The project will be implemented in partnership with otherlike-minded organizations in Africa including; the Stockholm
Environment Institute (SEI) Africa Centre; the IGAD Climate
Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC); the Observatoire
du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS); the AGRHYMET Regional Centre(ARS); and the Regional Centre for Mapping Resource for Development (RCMRD). ATPS leads this consortium of partners
and holds the fiduciary responsibility for the implementationof the project. The project also falls under the current ATPS
Phase VIII Strategic Plan 2017-2022 that identified climatechange and environmental management as one of the thematic priority areas of emphasis for our work in the next five
years. We sincerely appreciate the support from the AfDB on
this project and welcome more supports from other development partners and donors to enable us actualize the objectives of our new Phase VIII Strategic Plan.

The main outcomes expected from the project include:•••

Improved national and regional level data collection systems and synthesis for better deployment in decision
making and practice in Africa;
Improved capacity of policymakers, scientists, extension
agents and farmers to use climate information and technology tools for adaptation planning and decision making; andStrengthened information exchange and improved networking among stakeholders working on climate change
adaptation in selected countries.

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Energy

AFRICA’S ENERGY CRISIS: TIME TO LOOK INWARD

By Kingsley Ukoba,
Doctoral Student, Mechanical Engineering,
University of Kwazulu, South Africa

other sources. They are used as electricity, thermal energy, fuels, mechanical force and hydrogen. They are energy sourcethat are derived from non-fossil and non-nuclear sources.
They are sustainable and not harmful to the environment.

Energy at the nucleus is 50% of the grand challenges in the 21st Century. Provision of affordable
and efficient energy is a major human challenge.
Electricity is non-existence in 20% of world population with developing countries having 99.8% of that figure.

Key Statistics from Renewable Energy Sources
The global horizontal irradiation map gives the solar energy
potential of various regions around the world. Areas close to
the equator have more solar potential than those in the south
or north while regions of South America and Africa have potentials above 7.5 kWh/M2. Russia, Northern Canada andScandinavia all have potentials below 2.0 kWh/M2 per day.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to about 85% of the 1.3 billion people in developing countries without access toelectricity with an estimated electrification rate of 32%.
Several countries in Africa and South Asia lack access toelectricity while the rest have high disruption with lessthan four hours of power supply. Developed countries like
Germany have turned their fortune around in terms ofelectricity generation by harnessing the power of renewable energy. Asia seems to be making headways in electricity generation as several renewable firms are flocking there.

Solar Energy

Africa still lags behind in provision of affordable, cleanand stable electricity to her populace; countries like Nigeria are still struggling to provide uninterrupted electricity for four hours a day to its citizens. Apart from unstable supply of electricity, other problems which still exists
in such regions include; a relatively high cost of electricity, undeveloped infrastructure especially in remote areas,
and uneven billing of electricity. This has made most of her
citizens to resort to alternate source of electricity supply.
Renewable energy is a viable solution to ending global electricity problem as it exceeds world energy demand. Renewable energy is energy source that can be renewed indefinitely
like; solar, wind, geothermal, oceanic, hydro, biomass andGlobal Horizontal Irradiation map

7(source: solargis)

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EnergyDespite the fact that the odd of solar energy does not favour
European countries, their total electricity from solar energy
was 94,570 MW in 2015.

The solution to the above enumerated challenges is development of in-continent technology with cost, maintenance andefficiency as major focus. Renewable energy production timeis very short when compared to other sources of energy.

Germany, Italy, UK, France, and Spain occupy position 2, 5, 6, 7,
and 8 in the top 10 installed solar capacity globally. Asia continent is also not left out, they are investing big time in solar
technology and equipment. Central, South America and Africa
share similar stories despite their huge solar potential, there islittle installed capacity in the continents.

Solar Energy
A blend of nanotechnology and metal oxide using “nonpressure” deposition equipment may be the solution the continent needs. Non-pressured equipment such as spray technology, chemical bath and low cost deposition methods will
help in ensuring thinfilms solar cells research thrive in Africa’s
laboratory. This is because they do not require long hour ofelectricity supply for deposition of thinfilms. Nanostructured
transparent conducting oxide are affordable when comparedto silicon. This will encourage production of solar panel in thecontinent at reduced price.

More countries such as Denmark, Uruguay, Portugal, Ireland,
Spain, Cyprus and Germany are embracing wind power technology. The global wind energy council forecast gave 60 GWof new wind installations in 2017, rising to an annual market ofabout 75 GW by 2021, to bring cumulative installed capacityof over 800 GW by the end of 2021. China leads the cumulative capacity with over 34.7% while the rest of the world have
15.5%. Asia leads the rest of the world in wind power installedcapacity annually unfortunately, Africa, Middle East and pacific region are yet to harness their huge wind potentials.

Hydropower
Research into using large water body available in Africa canbe encouraged in several ways. Kinetic turbine or Damlesshydro can help solve the problem of electricity access to remote areas in Africa. Most of the remote areas have rivers andstreams yet not connected to the grid. Low head hydropowersuch as kinetic can be used to generate electricity using rivers
and stream of 20 metres (66 ft) head or less without creating adam. Annually, an average of 120,000 to 250,000 kWh of electricity can be produced from rivers and streams. A river with aminimum depth of 150cm at low flow with average flow rateof 2metres per second and average flow condition of 50m3
per second are all that is needed. Use of local materials andscrap can also increase deployment of hydropower in Africa
at reduced rate.

Africa is endowed with most of the renewable energy sources
due to her geographical positioning hence, the solution to
ending Africa energy crisis lies within. Major challenges to harnessing wind power include:•
Development of the adequate technology to transformand harness such renewable energy sources. The sunneeds a photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert it to electricity
and water needs hydro-turbine to convert it to electricity.
The continent boast of best brains that can develop someof these technologies but others factors militate against
it.
•High cost of importing existing equipment or technology
to harness such renewable energy sources and lack of political goodwill to drive the technology.

Biomass
It is a form of renewable energy used for converting organic
materials into electricity. It accounted for 4 percent of the energy used in United States in 2010. However, the major challenge associated with it, is a steady supply of fuel and creationof emissions and ash that may be toxic to the environment.
Improvement on this technology to reduce the above will
speed the rate of its usage in Africa.

OthersDevelopment of in-continent capacity and use of indigenous materials and technology will play vital role inspeedy and accelerated electrification for the continent.

Energy production versus time for various energy resources.

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SRM

ATPS PARTICIPATES AT THE SOLAR RADIATIONMANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE WORKSHOP

Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS Executive Director addressing the audience during the Solar Radiation Management Initiative Workshop at
Hilton Hotel, Nairobi Kenya.

By Sharon Anyango

es into the stratosphere. The other way will be through aerosol
injection in the stratosphere through the use of aeroplanes orballoons to inject reflective aerosol particles in the air hence
it will reflect away some sunlight and cool the planet for almost two years. SRM is still an ongoing conversation however,it is not a solution to global warming and does not represent
a substitute for mitigation of greenhouse gases but it can reduce some risks like halting the rise in global temperatures.

A

TPS in partnership with the African Academy of
Sciences, Stockholm Environment Institute and African Centre for Technology Studies organized an
introductory Solar Radiation Management Governance Initiative (SRMGI) workshop on 6th June at the Hilton
Hotel, Nairobi Kenya. Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS Executive Director welcomed participants into the workshop and noted that
there are still uncertainties surrounding the Solar Radiation
Management (SRM) because there are potential advantages
and risks which needs to be analyzed carefully before being
adopted or rejected because of the effects it has on climate.

ATPS interest on the SRM project are on the research interventions required to ensure greater understanding among various stakeholders, governance issues required to engage policymakers, Intellectual Property Rights, how awareness can bedone to reach more people to understand the system and lastly, it is the expected impact. Dr. Ozor also emphasized on theimportance of collaborations as no institution can do it alone.

The SRMGI is an international project that seeks to broaden
the discussion in developing countries so that they can contribute to the ongoing global conversation about SRM. The
African continent produces negligible amount of greenhouse gases (920,000t which is less 4% of the global production) ironically, Africa bears most effect on climate change.

Some of the concerns raised by participants at the workshop
about the SRM is on the need for more analysis on ethical issues which may be a distraught to the process, others encouraged more research on SRM saying that it may start with asmall momentum and gain more support while others wereof the opinion inadequate data and cost may hamper the
progress hence there is need for advocacy to be done interms of local context. If SRM is the only solution what thenis the minimum threshold required to make it a reality andcan SRM be integrated into the curriculum so that the public can advance knowledge of this new technology? Thoseare some of the critical questions raised during the workshop. The conversion is still ongoing and various stakeholders are being encouraged to contribute to the discussion.

SRM also known as solar geoengineering is a theoretical approach which aims to reduce the impacts of climate change
by reflecting a small amount of inbound sunlight back into
space. SRM can be used to stop or reverse the rise in temperatures from global warming hence achieving the 1.5C
temperature target agreed in the Paris Climate talks however,there are still uncertainties which could prove worse than the
climate change it is seeking to address. The SRM process if
approved will involve brightening marine clouds by spraying
sea water into the lower atmosphere or replicating the cooling effect of volcanoes by spraying reflective sulphate particl-

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Agro-Food Chain

THE ROLE OF INCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIPARRANGEMENTS IN AGRO-FOOD CHAINS IN GHANA:BENEFITS FOR PRIVATE ACTORS AND IMPLICATIONSPhoto: Sustainability at Coop

Farmers collecting coffee from the farm.

By Alexander Nuer, Liesbeth Dries, Felix Asante,
Stefano Pascucci, & Aneemarie van Paassen

A

team of researchers from Wageningen UniversityNetherlands, Institute of Statistical, Social andEconomic Research (ISSER) University of Ghana,
Science and Technology Policy Research Instituteof the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- Ghana,
Crop Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Ghana, Dissemination of New Agricultural
Technology in Africa (DONATA)- Ghana, Cocoa Research Institute- Ghana, SOLIDARIDAD West Africa’s coordinated Cocoa Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (CORIP), Royal
Netherlands Embassy Accra Ghana, International Fertilizer
Development Center -2Scale Project in Ghana, and a Dutch
international development organization (SNV) in Ghana, undertook a partnership project termed ‘Agriculture Partnerships’. The project focused on the role of inclusive partnershipfor development within agro-food chains and how participation of private actors such as private companies, Farmer
Based Organizations (FBOs) and processors involvement in
partnership activities induced changes in Ghana’s agriculturalvalue chains. The project was sponsored by Dutch Research
Organization (NOW-WOTRO).The team worked hand in handwith field technical staff and smallholder farmers along cocoa,
cassava and soybean value chains between 2014 and 2017.
In its findings, the team noted that private actors such ascompanies, buyers and processors did not participate ininclusive partnership arrangements along agro-foods

value chains due to lack of trust relationships andlack of invitations to participate in such initiatives.
Private actors play important roles in the success of partnership arrangements. This is because they provide inputs,
credit and market opportunities in value chains they areconnected with. They further provide competition and cooperation behavior that helps to ensure that value chainsbecome sustainable and successful. This was a general findings from the three partnership project covered in this study.
Most private companies do not participate in partnerships arrangement due to uncertainty of benefits they could gain. The
development of mechanism on knowledge and experiencesharing within the business arena will help to build trust relationships among such strategic actors. This was more evident in
the 2Scale partnership, where many actors formed a knowledge
and information base to link (FBOs) and processors as strategic
partners to improve on the local soya value chain in Ghana.
Business support service provider’s coordinators and FBOs
periodically meet to discuss and look for options to improve
production, yield, sales and marketing of soya in the operational areas. Private companies therefore stand to gain a
lot in participating in inclusive partnership arrangements.
Current partnership initiatives passively involve private actors’ in the design, implementation and review processes of
their projects. It will be prudent for private actors to take active interest in the participation in partnership arrangements
to ensure sustainable sourcing. The participation of private
actors in CORIP, as an example, created many insights in the10www.atpsnet.org

Agro-Food Chainrole of private actors in value chains such as cocoa. Engagement in partnerships formulation in an early stage enables
private companies’ actors to influence the discussions andformulation of partnership policies, to make them fit in theircompany’s interests and organizational culture. It was evident from the CORIP partnership that private companies for
instance contributed a fifty percent matching grant, as well as
engaged its field staff to implement the partnership project.
Private actor participation in agro-food value chain partnerships will improve and strengthen efficient, effective communication as well as create a feedback stream to productivity,
haulage, and entire value chain governance. Farmers’ voicealso needs to be considered when it comes to negotiations inpartnership arrangements that cover their activities and livelihoods. This is further noted in the DONATA partnership whereby smallholder farmers participated through the setting up of
Innovative Platforms (IPs). Farmers and other partners shared,

learned, discussed and reviewed outcomes of activities ofthe partnership project. This created trust, formal and informal relationships that ensured the success of the initiative.

Policy Implications
Participation of private actors in partnership arrangements could bring about needed expertise, enhance, and to alarge extent ensure the sustainability of agro-food value chain
partnerships. Participation in partnerships serves as opportunities for other actors to know which private actors are working within and along the value chains, and vice versa. Value
chain actors learn from the international market expertise ofcompanies; they also learn how to live up to the standards
set up by companies. Knowledge gained from private actors’
participation in partnerships may help to make informed corporate decisions, hence partnership initiatives should be able
to create synergies that will take into account the interests ofprivate companies.

ATPS PARTICIPATES AT THE INNOVATIVE STATEGIESFOR ADDRESSING AFRICA’S STRUCTURAL
DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOPtion Research, Policy and Practice. He outlined the importanceof STI as a key gateway to Africa’s development. STI is themain driver to socio-economic growth, it lays foundations andmechanisms to identify and tackle challenges for the future,leads to environmental sustainability and it plays a central
role in achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
“Research in STI leads to inventions and technologies for increasing agricultural productivity, improving health, qualityof manufacturing and building resilience capacity to climatechange impacts,” said Dr. Ozor
On the state of STI policy in Africa, Dr. Ozor noted African countries have invested low on STI and have been unable to realize the 1% of their GDP on R&D, there are a
few number of researchers and most countries do nothave an STI Policy. Africa accounts for 2% of the world’s
publication and has the lowest scientific productivity.

Dr. Nicholas Ozor (Right), ATPS Executive Director at IRES
during the Innovative Strategies for addressing Africa’s
Structural Developmental Challenges Workshop in Morocco.

A

By Sharon Anyango

TPS participated at the “Innovative Strategies for
Addressing Africa’s Structural Developmental Challenges” workshop which was held on 15th May at
the Royal Institute for Strategic Studies (IRES) in
Morocco. The meeting was held under the framework of IRES
2018 Strategic report which is devoted to an autonomous
development of Africa. In attendance were senior officials
from African Think Tanks. Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS Executive
Director made a presentation on addressing Africa’s Developmental Challenges through Science, Technology and Innova-

11

In his concluding remarks, he emphasized on the need toincrease domestic STI investments by establishing a national and regional fund, integrating STI programmes into
donor development programes so that they are African-led
and sensitive to social and cultural diversities, and national
STI policies should be enhanced and aligned with Agenda
2024, Agenda 2063 and SDGs. Other presentations by participants at the workshop focused on Africa’s economic,
social and environmental development processes and security threat affecting the stability of African countries.

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Interview

TRANSFORMING AFRICA’S EDUCATION SECTOR
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Ms. Hindu Nabulumba, the innovator of the Yaaka Digital Network takes students through the platform which aims to bringeducation closer to those who cannot physically access learning institutions.

By Sharon Anyango“For every one of us that succeeds, it is because there is somebody there to show you the way out. The light does not always
necessarily have to be in your family; for me it was teachersand school.” Oprah Winfrey.
Education today, is very competitive and many parents areworking hard to ensure their children are in school and access quality education. Government(s) too have not been leftout, this is evidenced during national budget announcement where a huge share is dedicated towards improving
the education sector. According to a report by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) public
spending on education increased by more than 6% each year.
Increased investment led to spectacular results. South Africa
is the only country in Africa whose education budget is morethan USA and UK.
Africa is already a tech hub, this is evidenced by the numberof big companies like IBM, Microsoft, who are investing in Africa. The continent is embracing technology and STEM education so as to keep up with developed nations and reinforce its
development. Education experts have for a long time urged
teachers to embrace technology to improve teaching andlearning in Africa.
Many governments have committed themselves to support
ICT in education; this has been done through the development of interactive textbooks, digital curriculum and educational games in schools so as to create an environment likean online digital classroom. The challenges faced by governments and various stakeholders is the inability to reach somestudents due to lack of electricity especially in rural areas
however, in order to curb the challenges majority of schools
have begun to invest on solar power and stakeholders are
distributing computers/tablets that require upto 15 watts ofpower for operation.
For the first time this year, education apps emerged tops in
the finals of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation which
was organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Mr. Godwin Benson from Nigeria won $25,000 cash prize for developing tuteria, an online platform that links students to qualified
tutors in their area and within their budget. The app enables
students to gain knowledge in any subject, it has expanded
its horizons to those who want to expand their skills in various fields like baking cakes and sewing clothes. Other shortlisted candidates who made it to the finals of the Africa Prize
for Engineering Innovation were Ms. Hindu Nabulumba from
Uganda who developed the Yaaka Digital Learning Network
which is an interactive social network where teachers and students can share academic knowledge and materials, Mr. Kelvin Gacheru from Kenya developed mobiwater, a smart solarpowered monitoring system and Mr. Andre Nel from South
Africa developed the GreenTower Microgrid that reduces theamount of energy used to heat water by 90%. The shortlisted
candidates received a six month training and mentoring sessions in which they were taught how develop business plans
and market their innovations.
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation aims to encourage
talented sub-Saharan engineers from all disciplines to develop solutions and challenges in their communities. Other educational apps that have been developed by African innovators
are Khan Academy, Safari tales, Toca lab, Duolingo, W hizApp,

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Interview

and Yoruba101.There is still need for political leadership andstakeholders to support upcoming innovators, ICT incubation
and also its adoption in schools because it enables students
access information anytime online and also enables them de-velop life skills essential for the future like critical thinking,creating presentations, maintaining proper online etiquette
and also they are able to learn on how to differentiate unreliable sources of information in the internet.

Ms. Hindu Nabulumba 25 from Uganda, is the first woman to be shorlisted for the Africa Innovation Prize which is usually organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The award aims to support upcoming innovators who are positivelytransforming their society through technology. Ms. Nabulamba developed the Yaaka Digital Learning Network which has
made education in Uganda more affordable and accessible.

Ms. Hindu Nabulumba (Second from Right) receives her award from the judges for emerging runners-up at the Africa Innovation
Prize 2017.

Interview by Sharon Anyango
1.What is the overall purpose of Yaaka Digital Learning
Network?
Yaaka’s purpose is to provide a platform, tools and application where people can find relevant academic content basedon Ugandan syllabus. Teachers are able to share information with the learners and content is in multimedia format.
2. What is the niche you realized interms of the education
status in Uganda that inspired you to come up with the app?
Well, it was in the University where we were piled up witha lot of reading materials that did not make sense to us
and also the teacher was not going to set it in the final
exam. Reading materials were too expensive and that iswhen I came up with the thought of creating a platform
where teachers would provide content relevant to a students’ understanding and they would not have to study topass exams but actually understand what they are learning.
3. What are other pressing challenges facing the education sector in Uganda?
There is lack of relevant academic content, good schools
are very expensive, poor remuneration and underqualified
teachers and a poor learning environment amongst others.
4.What are the challenges and opportunities that camealong while developing the Yaaka Digital Learning App?

Capital and human resource were very limited, we needed people to review content and at first that was hard tofind one because they wanted money. On the opportunityside, we met very important people whom we presented
our product to and agreed to our idea and most importantly, was being part of this year’s engineering awards.
5. How does the Yaaka Digital Learning app works?
It’s a web based app, available at www.yaaka.cc and also offline. You can sign in into the app and access material for
free but you can’t download anything, one will have to incur costs for downloads. One can also interact with friends
like in facebook by sending friend requests, joining groups
and forums. To be a trainer you will have to apply to be instructor and put a course you will teach, charge for it if you
want, expel students, and also awards marks. Students arealso able to do assignments and self-mark for themselves.
6. Is there an age limit for people who can use theapp? People in pre-school, primary, secondary? And
is there any training required for one to use the app?
There is no age limit to use the app and navigation on the site
is easy. The only people who may need training are teachers
who may not know how to create online and multimedia
content.
7. Is it a must for one to buy the Yaaka tablet or one candownload it on their phones or other models of computer13

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Interviewand still use the app?
One should buy the tablet especially if they
have no laptop. Right now we are trying to makeYaaka light but we have not been able to succeed though weare still pushing. Unfortunately, you cannot download it on
mobile phones and for any offline installation one must cometo our offices.
8. How does the app cater for students in remote areas
who have the thirst of education but cannot access electricity or even data?
We have created an offline version for them and we arelooking forward to partner with a solar company sothat they do not have battery issues with the tablets.
9. What are the future plans for the Yaaka Digital?
We want to have Yaaka in 21 countries in the next five years
and also have atleast 4 million people who are actively using the platform and over 4000 teachers as instructors on theplatform.
10. It is almost two years since you developed the app andyou still work as a team, how have you managed to remain
intact?
Management is usually a problem especially for young people who start as a team, and when differences come along,they decide to part ways. Well, just like any family we fight but
we never lose respect for one another. We might disagree onsome things but at the end of the day as a team we will settlewith the better idea also, since we have worked together fora long time we know each others strengths and weaknesses.

Ms. Hindu Nabulumba (Right) and Prince Andrew (Left) at the
Pitch@Palace event at Duke of York, UK. The event aims to guideand connect entrepreneurs with potential supporters, mentors
and business partners.
a threat to their business because many will opt to go online and take advantage of the costs?
I have not met someone who sees it as threat but as an opportunity since they can sell their books through the platform
and make money at the end of the day.
15. Is there an expert input to verify that the content thatis being shared online is accurate?
Yes there is. The content was even certified by the National
Curriculum Development Centre and the Ministry of Education. We also have teachers and parents that help review thecontent.

12. Are there challenges of copyright while using the app
because teachers and students can share information online which is copyrighted?
Copyright is always an issue but we make sure thatwhen content is shared, it must be produced by an individual and not created from other people’s work.

16. Congratulations for being the first lady to be evershortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious Africa Innovation Prize which was held in Nairobi, Kenya. The Royal
Academy of Engineering in UK had organized an intensive
6 months training and mentorship on how upcoming innovators can develop their business plans, market theirinnovations and how to approach potential investors.
How has the journey been and what are the major lessons
you have learnt?
It was incredible and exciting especially to be the woman
to break record, Actually, I should have won to even make it
more exciting. The Journey has been great, I met with Africa’s
great minds and also with Prince Andrew at Pitch at Palace,the trainings by the source team were mind blowing and it
has helped me and my team reflect and come up with a better
marketing and promotion strategy so as to be able to reachout more people with various educational tools they wouldfind it easy to use.

13. Is there a criteria you use to verify if an individual sharing information online is a qualified teacher?
Yes! When you apply to be a teacher, we have a set regulations that must be met before one becomes an instructor. We
have to protect our brand too and not have fake teachers on
our platform.

17. What is your advice to upcoming female innovators?
The only thing that is stopping you (girls) from achieving what
you want is you. If you say No then it is you who cannot do it
but if you say Yes then you will see doors open, take a step andthat step is a milestone after a period of time and you will be
proud of yourself.

14. Do booksellers see the Yaaka Digital Learning App as

17. What is your favourite quote?
Your only limit is you.

11. What is your vision for the education system in Uganda?
We hope our education system will embrace the digital edge and take up Yaaka which has been developedby Ugandans who have been through the education system and understand the hardships it has. I am optimistic with Yaaka we can make our education system better.

14

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ATPS National Chapter Column

EMERGENCE OF VISION 2035: ATPS CAMEROONCHAPTER

Prof. Slyvestor Ndeso Atanga, ATPS National Coordinator Cameroon giving updates to delegates present about his Chapter during
the 2016 Stakeholders’ Forum.

By Prof. Sylvestor Ndeso Atanga
National Coordinator, ATPS CameroonIn 2012, President Paul Biya announced to the nation in his
new year’s speech that Cameroon will become an emerging country by 2035. In order for Cameroon to become an
emerging country by 2035, it will require the applicationof science and technology to get solutions for the economic, social and environmental challenges it is currently facing.
According to the World Factbook of US Central Intelligence
Agency, Cameroon ranked 113th in the World with 1.1 million
internet users in 2012 which is 5.5 percent of the total population. The number of internet users had increased from 749,600
in 2009 to 985,565 in 2011. In addition to this, Cameroon had
10,207 internet hosts in 2012 and was ranked 134th in theworld. In 2008 the country had the number of internet hosts
increased from 69 in 2008 to 10,207 in 2012 placing Cameroon
in the 134th ranking worldwide. These figures show a remarkable improvement in the country’s internet services.
In the Communications sector, there were 737,400 fixed phonelines in use compared to 13.1 million mobile phones according to 2012 figures (CIA World Factbook). Presently, Cameroon
has four mobile communication companies against two in
2010. In terms of ICT Infrastructure, there is a SAT-3 marine
cable inward with access points in Douala (main one), Limbe(WACS) and Kribi (ACE). There is a national backbone of over
6,000 km of fiber optic cable laid down and financed by the
Chinese Government. There is also a fiber optic loop in Douala
and a second one is being laid in Yaounde. Cameroon is inked
to Chad with a fiber optic cable under the Central African
Backbone (CAB) project and VSAT internet is widely used. The

feasibility study for establishment of a National Internet Exchange Point (IXP) which was financed by the World Bank has
been completed and the Government has established a national IXP. Currently, there are 200 operational telecenters in
the country.

Progress
In order to push Cameroon to achieve vision 2035, President
Paul Biya in his Economic Emergence Action Plan mentioned
two technological aspects which aim to increase the supply ofsocial and telephone communication (fixed-line and mobile)and ensure high-speed internet access and social networks.
In 2014, the Cameroonian government obtained 60 percent
ownership of the Limbe West Africa Cable System (WACS) thatwas initially owned by MTN Cameroon. The FCFA 14 billion
project is set to increase internet penetration that could beexported to landlocked countries like the Central African Republic by ten percent. Government’s acquisition of the Limbe
WACS station adds to the Douala landing station, which went
operational in 2002 and linked to the SAT-3 submarine cable. Meanwhile, in a drive to make Cameroon a regional ICT
connectivity hub, Cameroon’s Telecommunication Company(CAMTEL) announced its intention to construct a Kribi (Cameroon) to Fortaleza (Brazil) submarine cable link. These areindeed ambitious projects which will require huge financial
investments and cooperation between partner countries.
Apart from leadership, huge investments and giant S&T
projects have already been accomplished and some are stillongoing by the government, there has been great input fromthe private sector which are led by individuals and business15

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ATPS National Chapter Column

Cameroonian Arthur Zang is the innovator of the cardiopad tablet which enables heart examinations to be performed in remoterural areas and results transferred wirelessly to specialists who can interpret them. Mr. Zang is the winner of 2016 Africa Prize f orEngineering Innovation.
magnets. For instance, Mr. Paul Kammogne Fokam, the founder of Afriland First Bank and promoter of the P.K. Fokam International Conference Institute for Excellence in Science andTechnology announced the African Science and Technology
Award. The purpose of the award is to promote applied research in Africa and innovation in entrepreneurship. According to Fokam, there will be two awards: one will be given to
the winner in the category of business innovations which willbe through application of applied research outputs and he/she will be awarded upto 10 million FCFA ($12.000). The second award will be to the best inventor of a product developed
as a result of application of scientific research and he/she will
go home with 2 million FCFA (or $2000).
Mr. Fokam says this prize is his contribution to the rise of ageneration of Africans who have the ability to support theblack continent towards excellence. He noted there is a direct
correlation between fundamental research, applied researchand the distribution of wealth in the world. Mr. Fokam is alsoplanning to launch a digital research grant.

Inventions by Cameroonians
New information and communications technologies (ICT), in
particular high-speed internet have changed the way in which
companies do business, transformed public service delivery
and democratized innovation. This has improved the working and living conditions of both customers and employees
of banking and health sectors. Some of the inventions developed by Cameroonians are:•••care workers in rural areas to send results of cardiac
tests to heart specialists via a mobile-phone connection.
Alain Nteff developed “GiftedMom” which uses mobile
phone technology to remind pregnant women when tocome for antenatal care and alert mothers on vaccination
schedules for their infants. The app aims to reduce maternal and child deaths in Cameroon.
“Academia”, is a locally designed software to facilitatecommunication between teachers and students is alreadygaining ground in secondary schools.

Challenges
Despite all these developments, Cameroon is still missing out
in the 21st century technological advances due to poor telephone lines and lack of qualified technicians to run TCP/IP
networks. These recent developments need to be coordinatedfor a better productivity.
The adoption of ICT and scientific innovations are a laudable
effort however, much still needs to happen in the area of manufacturing. R&D must take place especially in the agro-industrial sector, as a rich agricultural nation, transformation of this
sector from agrarian to industrial production will propel thecountry towards emergence. The rich mineral resources of thecountry are an added booster which is still largely unexploited. Transparency in this sector like in the oil sector is needed
otherwise western companies will do what they have done in
the petroleum sector thereby rendering the country poor andvery far from the contemplated emergence in 2035.

Arthur Zang invented the patented touchscreen Cardio
Pad, the first Africa’s medical tablet which enables health-16

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ATPS National Chapter Column

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CREATES NEWKNOWLEDGE: ATPS SUDAN CHAPTER
streamline with the national agenda. Focus is missed wherewide diversified areas of research per individual institution is the dominant feature of S&T planning, this explainsproblems in communication and coordination. Owing to
the patronage mode that shapes R&D link to policy making; policy decisions are rarely based on evidence based
analysis. There is need to encourage the private sector toinnovate through incentives and proper regulations put
in place. Unfortunately, frequent ministerial restructuring
obstructed the coordination function assumed to be tackled by the dissolved Ministry of Science and Technology.

Mrs. Nadia Hassan, ATPS National Coordinator Sudan addressing delegates during the 2016 stakeholders’ forum.

By Nadia Hassan
National Coordinator- ATPS Sudan

S

uccess is a science which if you invest in, you will
harvest its fruits. Sudan has not been left out in research and development of Science &Technology(S&T) however, except for medical and health sciences bulk of S&T research is carried out within public research centers and not in universities. The dominant typeof public R&D institutions are those connected to ministries
in the real economy (production or service) which enjoy financial and administrative autonomy. R&D institutions affiliated to former Ministry of Science & Technology had
been taken over by the Ministry of Higher Education andScientific Research after the last ministerial restructuring.
Sudan occupies a lower competitive position in terms of S&T
input-output indicators at the global innovation index; likeany other least developed Country, knowledge creation remains to be a function of public institutions that renders scantinnovative products and services to private organizations.
Knowledge creation processes are operated in a non-conducive environment which lack adequate funding resources, effective linkages, and incentive systems. The National System
of Innovation (NSI) is characterized by fragmented and inadequately coordinated agencies. Despite high-quality education in Sudan there is still insufficient skilled human resources
devoted to S&T development, national R&D institutions areshort of contributing to development of local technologies
and to adaptation of imported technologies which has hampered their potential role of contributing towards economic
development.

In the recent years, Sudan policy makers driven by nationaland continental movements started to pay attention to the
S&T question. Presidential Announcement affirmed alignmentof national policies with the African Science Technology andInnovation Indicators Initiative (ASTII) - a program within the
African Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action(CPA) for pushing up innovation indicators. Another regional
initiative that Sudan joined is the Arabic League endeavor
to develop a common set of S&T indicators. ATPS Chapter
Coordinators had contributed to this effort. Sudan also welcomed an African endeavor to establish a system for national
STI statistics which will help to develop policies out of it. Innovations in private firm are rare due to lack of observatory
institutions, lack of firms to register Intellectual Property andabsence of incentives for firms to innovate. Linkages between
R&D and private sector that are assumed to provide ways ofcollaboration and beneficial interaction between knowledge
creator and supposed knowledge user are fairly modest.
The rising concern about STI situation in Sudan led to extensive discussions on the different level of responsibilities
and concern for diagnosing situations and for identifying
elements basic to S&T policy. Some of the concerns raised
include: knowledge transfer; IPR system and incentives tocommercialize research. The academic community is undergoing structural development for establishing quality andsustainability in their research system. Initiatives for reformat organizational level are aimed at maintaining the quality
of R&D and ensuring the value of research are formally instituted. The criteria and measures of universities evaluation andaccreditation are put in place by the recently created National
Commission for Higher Education Quality and Accreditation.
Civil society organizations have actively played a role in brokering knowledge hence filling this critical gap by introducing innovative products and processes in the rural agriculture
and industry and enhancing Grassroots Innovation’ (GRI).
Their aim is to improve and disseminate indigenous innovation from the informal sector by local communities in an

Research programs are either discipline-oriented or commodity-oriented; major challenges that constitute subject
area of research priority include: poverty, unemployment, climate change, nutrition and productivity where emphasis is to 17

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Fellowshipattempt to compensate for lack of development of relevant
institutional structures that maintain inclusion of GRI in
the National System of Innovation. Additionally, youths
and fressh scientists graduates have grouped themselvesin entrepreneurial communities and are striving to securerecognition and resources. Unless R&D is adequately managed,

the resources applied for it to create knowledge and innovatefor the benefit of the nation will be in vain. ATPS Sudanese
Chapter has contributed positively to the ongoing efforts ofbuilding quality conditions of S&T by preparing a guide for
R&D self-evaluation. ATPS Sudan Chapter is keen in making
presence of the activities and events that put STI as its focus.

ATPS STAFF PARTICIPATES AT THE COMMONWEALTH
PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP IN LANCASTER
UNIVERSITY

Mr. Hillary Ragen (Right), ATPS Research Assistant with other participants at the Commonwealth Professional fellowship in
Lancaster University, UK.

A

By Hillary Ragen
TPS Research Assistant, Mr. Hillary Ragen participated in a two month Commonwealth Professional
Fellowship program at Lancaster Environment
Centre in Lancaster University, UK. The programaims to build professional capacity development in managing
strategic partnerships and to bridge gaps between academia,
industry, government and civil societies in the areas of environmental management. The program also hosted other three
African professionals from Nigeria and Ghana, and this was
the second group of African Professional Commonwealth fellows with an interest in eco-innovation.

ing environmental impact and improving the efficient andresponsible use of resources. The University hosts an awardwinning Centre for Global Eco-innovation (CGE) domiciled at
Lancaster Environment Centre. The CGE serves as a focal pointin the promotion of collaboration between academia and industry especially in co-creation of eco-innovative products. It
has collaborated with more than 300 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and created more than 260 jobs in the past four
years. The CGE provides a suitable model to understudy linkages between academia, industry and policy makers which isaligned with ATPS’s work in environment and climate change.

The fellowship was anchored on the existing relationship between Lancaster University and the ATPS. Similarly, other African research institutions and African Universities involved in
the programme have close ties with the University. The program builds on a series of Africa Eco-innovation forums whichhave previously been held in Lancaster, Nigeria and Ghana
bringing together academics, business people and policy
makers.

The fellowship program provided a suitable platform to learn
and engage with researchers and private sector actors and tounderstand these relationships. It is expected that following
this programme, the ATPS will be able to contextually replicate some of the success stories in Kenya and Africa towards
addressing major environmental and social issues faced in
the continent.The program was organized by Professor Kirk
Semple, the Director for International Engagement at the
Lancaster Environment Centre, and the Centre’s Africa Strategy Adviser, Dr. Akanimo Odon. They provided mentorship
throughout the program with support from the Lancaster Environment Centre Business Engagement Unit.

Lancaster University has a great track record in eco-innovation; they work with small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
and policy makers to develop products, processes and services with socio-economic impact while simultaneously reduc-18

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Politics of Innovation

POLITICS OF INNOVATION: WHY SOME COUNTRIESARE BETTER THAN OTHERS AT SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGYJapan, Germany, Taiwan, Sweden, Korea, Israel and lessthan a dozen more. Ironically, the majority of these countries lack innovative antecedents as at 1945 stating thatsome of them were yet to exist as a country then.

By Yusuff Utieyineshola,
Senior Research Officer,
NACETEM, Abuja, NigeriaT

he book attempts to proffer an answer to the question “Why are some countries better than others at
Science and Technology? The question was derived
from Cardwell’s Law which states that “Nationality
should not matter” in innovation.
Donald Cardwell is a British historian who decided to unravel
those “turning points” in the history of Western Technology. In
the early 1970s, he studied developments in S&T span over a
thousand years in the life of the Western societies. His findings
reveal outstanding discoveries and inventions recorded in thehistory of mankind starting from the medieval horse stirrup to
the recent Nuclear power technology today. However, despite
this great discovery, Cardwell purposely ignored to mention
the Nationality of these great scientists who have achieved
what could be termed “the unachievable” in the technologicalsphere. According to him, as he mentioned at the end of his
survey, the intention to omit this vital information was deliberate as “Nationality should not matter” and it was this opinion
that formed the core of Cardwell’s Law. He explained further
that “No nation has been very creative for more than a historically short period”.
Based on this assertion, the author identifies three classes of
S&T players which infer as thus;•
Only a small handful of nations dominate the global
creation and production of S&T namely: - United States,•

Many countries that have benefitted from long histories
of wealth, democracy, industrialisation, and S&T production but are merely relevant in terms of technology at
the present as they innovate but at a minimal level whencompared to what it used to be known for in the past.
Some of these countries include Spain, Italy, and Austria.

•

There are countries that, to a great extent, do not innovate explicitly, yet none of them is impoverished. This isdue to what the author referred to as “favourable characteristics” that they possess a fairly democratic system,
relatively Capitalist and are constituted by well-educatedand informed citizens. Such countries in this category include: Argentina, Chile, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey.

It was on the basis of this categorisation that the author thenargued in relation to Carwell’s Law . In this twenty first century,
national borders and distance should not matter much for innovation. The purpose of this was to solve the puzzle which
has remained a “stubborn mystery” to explaining as to whysome countries are better than others at S&T despite years oftheories and research by great scholars.

Focal Argument
In order to avoid complexities that could becloud understanding the issues at hand, unlike Cardwell’s Law thatconflate the “how” and “why” nations innovate together, the author rather separate the “how” from the “why”.
1. How do nations innovate? Two ways as to how nations innovate, as the author suggests are through Policies andInstitutions. On this premise, are two schools of thought;
the first one argues that government plays a vital rolein innovation using the instruments of domestic institutions and policies to promote innovation which implies
that different countries apply different sets of institutions
and policies. But could this be the only reason why somecountries are better than others at S&T?
Another school of thought is of a contrary opinion as it suggests a total absence of government interference will foster
innovation. This concept is termed “Classic free market hypothesis”. He described the market as “a market is characteris-19

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Politics of Innovation

ed by a large number of informed rational individuals involved in
the free exchange of goods, services, and capital, resulting in economic efficiency and innovation”. Therefore, the position tends
to favour the free market hypothesis relating it to the context
between Communism and Capitalism societal models of thetwentieth-century.
The author supported his argument with five (5) pillars as towhy some countries outperform others at S&T but quickly
added a caveat, that it also leaves unexplained the intricacies
associated with its success and failure, which further create
gaps. These pillars include; Property Rights, Research and Development Subsidies, Education, Research Universities, and Trade
Policies. It should be noted that all these five pillars must coexist as one system to foster the S&T competitiveness of any
country.
2.

Why do nations innovate? The author is of the opinion
that countries innovate so as to guide against what hecalled “Creative Insecurity”. This approach is in directcontrast to Joseph Schumpeter’s Creative Destruction
philosophy which argues that innovation is a “perennial
gale” that constantly transforms a nation’s economy fromwithin by eroding the old industries and creating a quantum of new ones. So, the author explains the philosophyof “Creative Insecurity” as a condition of perceiving morethreats from external forces than domestic rivals. This, hesees as “the positive difference between the threatsof economic or military competition from abroad andthe dangers of political-economic rivalries at home”. He
further illustrated this that people tend to stop fighting
over how to share their pie when the pie itself is threatened by others. Consequently, he submits that “countries
for which external threats are relatively greater than domestic rivalries should have higher national innovation
rate than countries for which domestic rivalries outweighexternal threats”.

Way Forward
What can be derived from author’s argument in this book isthat•
The best way a nation can guide against Creative Insecurity shock is to optimise its commitment towards S&T.
•
A nation’s choice of societal model structure-Capitalism,
Democracy, and Decentralisation may lead to failure in
its S&T adventure.
•
Nations that promote innovation through the adoptionof systems structures like Networks, Clusters, and Standards tends to succeed at S&T.
The book is written by: Taylor, Mark Zachary, Oxford University Press, United States of America, 2016, Hardcover,
427 Pages, ISBN: 978-0-19-046412-7

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GrantsGRANTS RECEIVED BY THE ATPS DURING THE QUARTER
S/N

Title of the Project

Donor

Project Description

1

Bridging Climate
Information Gaps toStrenghen Capacity
for Climate Informed
Decision- Making.

African Development
Bank (AfDB)

To strenghen the capacities of relevant Euro 449,360
stakeholders in Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi,
Nigeria and Tunisia. The project also
aims to collect, understand and deploy
appropriate climate information andbest practices to inform decision-making,support development planning, reducethe vulnerability of the selected countries
and foster a food secure Africa.

21

Grant Amount
Received

www.atpsnet.org

Scholarships

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO TACKLE AFRICA’STECHNOPOLICY CHALLENGES

University College London was founded in 1826 and it is situated at the heart of London, UK.

Study a Master’s in London

BenefitsA

cross Africa, decision makers at all levels are facing the challenges of rapidly changing science andtechnology and pressing national and local priorities and yet their innovation systems remain fragmented. In response to these challenges, University College
London (UCL) is offering a globally unique 1-year Master’s of
Public Administration in Development, Technology and Innovation policy for professionals who would like to learn theskills to work at the interface between science, technology
and policy.

•
•
•
•

This course gives you the tools, mental models and insights tocreatively tackle the unique challenges and opportunities fordeveloping countries and harness scientific and technological innovation to transform economies and improve humanwellbeing.

Register Your Interest Now!

•

Access UCL’s world-class teaching and networks.
Study and live in London, a truly global capital.
Meet colleagues from a diverse range of professions.
Benefit from a cutting-edge curriculum, in-depth lecturesand interactive learning.
Work with real international clients on an extended policy
project. (Previous clients include the International Institute for Environment and Development; International
Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre; and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative).

To find out more about course content and scholarships
for 2018-19 entry, register your interest at www.ucl.ac.uk/
steapp/masters or contact steapp.admissions@ucl.ac.uk formore information.

Professor Yacob Mulugetta (Left), MPA Course Leader, mentors
participants at a UCL event in London.

22

www.atpsnet.org

Opportunities

OPPORTUNITIESThe 5th EU-Africa Summit
The 5th EU- Africa Summit will take place on 28-29 November 2017 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The central theme for this year’s
Summit will be ‘Youth’, which has become a key priority for Europe as well as Africa, in the context of African demographic
trends creating major challenges for young people in terms of migration, security and employment. The aim of the Summit
in particular is to address stability challenges and the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. It
will also identify opportunities for mutual benefits towards sustainable and inclusive development.
For more information about the event please visit: http://www.rinea.org/en/1040.php

South Africa Innovation Summit
The SA Innovation Summit is a platform aimed at nurturing, developing and showcasing South African innovation. The
Summit offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs, innovators, thought-leaders, policymakers, inventors andinvestors to drive innovation in South Africa and inspire sustained economic growth. The Summit will be held from 6-8
September 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.
OBJECTIVES•••

To collaborate with government, academia and industry to build a South African system for innovation on a practicallevel.
To encourage mutually beneficial deal-making between innovators and investors.
To provide a platform where innovators can participate, grow their know-how and connections, and make their ideas
come to life.

For more information about the event please visit: http://innovationsummit.co.za/

Symposium on Climate Change and Droughts Resilience in Africa
The Symposium on Climate Change and Droughts Resilience in Africa is being organized by Strathmore University Kenya,
Research and Transfer Centre “Applications of Life Sciences” Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Manchester
Metropolitan University (UK) and the International Climate Change Information Programme (ICCIP).
The “Symposium will focus on “building resilience to climate change and droughts in Africa”, meaning that it will serve thepurpose of showcasing experiences from research, field projects and best practice to foster climate change adaptation
among countries in the region, with a focus on droughts, which may be useful or implemented elsewhere.
DATE: 16-18 October 2017
For more information please visit: http://www.rinea.org/en/1068.php

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Photo Gallery

PHOTO
PHOTOGALLERYGALLERY - Climate Information Prize 2016

From
Dr. Olufunso
SomorinSenior Policy
Officer(AfDB),
Dr. Left:
NicholasOzor, ATPS
Executive
DirectorDr. Nicholas Ozor- ATPS Executive Director and Mr. Onesmus
making his address to the audience.
Maina -Senior Agricultural Expert, EARC/OSAN (AfDB) during
the signing of a protocol of agreement between ATPS and AfDB.

Facial Expressions: It is all smiles after the signing of the
protocol of agreement between ATPS and AfDB.

Smiles: ATPS can officially begin to implement the project.

Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS Executive Director (Left) moderates
the panel discussion on the Solar Radiation Management
System.

A cross-section of participants at the Solar Radiation
Management Governance Initiative Workshop, Nairobi.
Kenya

Participants following the proceedings at the Solar Radiation
Management Governance Initiative Workshop.

24www.atpsnet.org

Photo Gallery

PHOTO GALLERY

Dr. Ernest Acheampong (Centre), ATPS Senior Research
Officer during the Solar Radiation Management GovernanceInitiative Workshop.

From Left: Dr. Kwado Ansong Asante, Dr. Edu Inam, Mr. Osamudiamen Efosa and Mr. Hillary Ragen (ATPS) are the beneficiariesof this year’s Commonwealth Professional fellowship Programat Lancaster Environment Centre in Lancaster University.

Mr. Nicholas
Hillary Ragen(Right)ATPS Research
Officerwith mentors
Dr.
Ozor
among
key invited
guestsatandDr.
KwadwoAnsongAsante(SecondfromLeft)duringthethe event.

Delegates at the Innovative Strategies for addressing Africa’s
Structural developmental Challenges workshop at IRES,
Morocco.

A cross-section of delegates following the proceedings of theInnovative Strategies for addressing Africa’s Structural developmental Challenges workshop at IRES, Morocco.

Mr. Raymond Mumo, ATPS IT Expert doing a presentation about
the new ATPS website.

Commonwealth fellowship program at Lancaster Environment
Centre.

25

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS National Chapter Coordinators

ATPS NATIONAL CHAPTER COORDINATORS

Australia
Mr. David Doepel
Chair, Africa Research Group, Murdoch
University
90 South Street
MurdochWestern Australia 6150
Tel: +61418912287
Email: d.doepel@murdoch.edu.au
Benin
Dr. Roch L. Mongbo
Senior Lecturer & Researcher
Director of LADyD (Lab for Social
Dynamics and Development Studies)
Universite’ d’Abomey-Calavi,Benin
02 BP 778 Gbe’gamey
Cotonou, Benin
Tel: +229-21360126
Cell : +229-95966446 / 97374797
Email: rmongbo@intnet.bj or
Rochl_mongbo@yahoo.com
Botswana
Dr. John Mothibi
Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering &Technology
University of Botswana
P/Bag 0061
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267 3554348
Fax: +267 3952309
E-mail: mothibij@mopipi.ub.bw
Burkina Faso
Dr. Benoit Kabore
Université de Ouagadougou
01 BP 4487
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso
Tel: 226 812008/380715
Email: benkabor2003@yahoo.fr

Cameroon
Prof. Sylvester Ndeso Atanga
Senior Visiting Lecturer, Epidemology &Public HealthFaculty of Health Sciences
University of Buea
P.O. Box 63
South West Province
Republic of Cameroon
Tel: + 237-653774599/ 243094176
Cell: +237-99841433
Email: silawrence2011@gmail.com
or ndesoatpscamnet@
rocketmail.com

Cote d’Ivore
Prof. Arsène Kouadio,
Associate Professor, University of
Abidjan-Cocody ; Researcher, CIRES
Director, Laboratoire de croissance
Economique
Executive Director, Institut pour leDéveloppement (IPD),
Coordinator, ATPS Côe d’Ivoire,
Coordinator, RIA Côte d’Ivoire,
Fellow Researcher, AERC, Poverty
Economic Policy (PEP),
Cocody, Boulelevard Latrille
08 B.P. 1295 Abidjan 08, Côte d’Ivoire
Tel : +225 22 44 60 99
Fax: +225 22 48 82 84
Mobile : +225 07 98 46 80 /05 95 97 91
E-mail: arsene.k@ipd-ci.org
arsenekk@yahoo.fr
arsenekouadio@hotmail.com
Egypt
Ms. Manal Moustafa Samra
Focal Point Coordinator
45 Noubar Street, Bab El-Louk
8th Floor, Apt 29,Cairo
Egypt
Tel: +20105005284
Email: mmsamra@gmail.com

Ethiopia
Mr. Wondwossen Belete,
Ag. National Coordinator
Director of Intellectual Property
Protection and Technology Transfer,
Ethiopian Industrial Property
Organization (EIPO)
Email: wondwossenbel@yahoo.com
GambiaVacantGhana
Dr. Fred Amu-Mensah
Senior Research Scientist
CSIR Water Research Institute
P.O. Box M.32
Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233-24-4748197
Fax: +233 21 77 7170
Email: assabil@aim.com orobeyie@gmail.com

26

Kenya
Mr. Kenneth Williams Aduda
Senior Research Fellow
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University
P.O. Box 201 - 40601
Bondo, Kenya
Tel: +254 057 - 2501804
Fax: +254 057 - 2523851
Email: adudakenwo@gmail.com
Lesotho
Mr. Denis Sekoja Phakisi
Acting National Coordinator
Manufacturing Manager
Loti Brick
P.O. Box 8008, Maseru 100, Lesotho
Tel: +266 5885 3389
Fax: +266 22310071
Email: ds.phakisi@lycos.com
Liberia
Dr. Wollor Emmanuel Topor
National Coordinator
Acting Dean
College of Science and Technology
University of Liberia
Tel: + 231-6875802
Email: wollortopor@yahoo.com
Malawi
Kingdom M. Kwapata
Bunda College, P.O. Box 219,
Lilongwe, Malawi
Tel: +265 999195477
E-mail: kwapata@yahoo.com
Mali
Dr. Sidiki Gabriel Dembele
Agrochimie/Agroforesterie et Fertilitédes sols
Bureau Ouest-Africain d’Appui
Organisational et de Technologies
Appropiées
B.P. E 3730, Bamako, Mali
Tél. : (223) 226 2012
Fax : (223) 226 2504
Cell : (223) 71 3806
Email: sidikigabriel@hotmail.com orousmanenia2000@yahoo.fr
MoroccoProf. Saïd Boujraf
National Coordinator
Director of the Clinical Neuroscience
Laboratory
Department of Biophysics and Clinical
MRI Methods

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS National Chapter Coordinators

ATPS NATIONAL CHAPTER COORDINATORS

Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy,
University of Fez
BP. 1893; Km 2.200, Sidi Hrazem Road,Fez 30000, MoroccoTel: +212 667 780 442
Fax: +212 535 619 321
E-mail: sboujraf@gmail.com

MozambiqueEng. Lourino Alberto Chemane
ICT and Planning Advisor
Executive Secretariat, ICT Policy
Commission
Bairro da Coop
Rua Particular Dr. Antonio de Almeida
61 R/C Direito, Maputo
MozambiqueTel: +258 21 309398
Fax: +258 21 302289
Cell : +258 82 3110700
Email: chemane@infopol.gov.mz
Namibia
Surveyor Uzochukwu Okafor
Surveyor- General
Directorate of Survey and Mapping
Ministry of Land Reform
Tel: +264(0)2965036
Mobile: +264811223311
Email: uzo.okafor@mlr.gov.na
NigeriaProf. Michael C. Madukwe
Professor, Department of Agricultural
Extension
University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Enugu State
Nigeria
Tel: +234 42 771019
Fax: +234 42 771500
Cell: +234 803 700 6968
Email: madukwe@hotmail.com or
madukwemichael@yahoo.com
Prof. Femi Olokesusi
Nigerian Institute for Social andEconomic Research (NISER)
P.M.B 5 UI Post Office
Oyo Road, Ojoo, Ibadan, Nigeria
Tel: 234-8023322052/ 8073132917
Fax: +234 2 2413121
Email: femioloke@yahoo.com
RwandaDr. Marie-Christine Gasingirwa,
Director General, Science, Technology
and Research,

Ministry of Education, Rwanda.
Email: cgasingirwa@mineduc.gov.rw

Sierra Leone
Mr. Chris Squire
Head, Dept of Mechanical Engineering
Fourah Bay College
University of Sierra Leone
Mount Auroel
PMB Freetown Sierra Leone
Tel: +232 22 227831
Fax: +232 22 227453
Cell: +232 76 610600
Email: squirechris15@yahoo.com
SenegalDr. Papa Alioune Sarr Ndiaye
ESP BP 15475 DAKAR Fann
SénégalTél : Bureau (221) 864 54 18
Fax : (221) 864 21 43
Domicile (221) 820 23 88
Cellulaire (221) 634 58 88
Email : papaas.ndiaye@ucad.edu.sn or
papealiounen@yahoo.fr
South Africa
Professor Mark Swilling
Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1,
Matieland, 7602, South Africa
Cell: +27(0)83-459 7417
Tel: +27(0)21-881 3196
Fax: +27(0)21 - 881 3294
Email: swilling@sun.ac.za
Sudan
Mrs. Nadia Hassan Sidahmed
Economic Studies Department
Industrial Research & Consultancy
Centre (IRCC) Sudan
Tel: +249 911449106
Email: nadiahsh@yahoo.co.uk
SwazilandProf. Musa Dube
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Agriculture
University of Swaziland
Luyengo Campus
P. O. Luyengo, Swaziland
Email: madube@uniswa.sz
Tanzania
Dr. Hassan Mshinda
Director General
Tanzania Commission for Scienceand Technology

27

P.O. Box 4302,
Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania.
Email: hmshinda@costech.or.tz
United Kingdom
Mrs. Martha Ada Ugwu
National Coordinator
59 Highgrove Road
Walderslade, Chatham
Kent, ME5 7SF, UK
Tel: +4401634310389/07985476289
Email: Martha.ugwu@yahoo.co.uk
or Martha@ugwu.fsworld.co.uk
UgandaMr. John Okuonzi
National Coordinator
Kyambogo University
Faculty of Engineering, Department ofElectrical and Electronic Engineering,
P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, kampala, uganda
Tel: +256 782 353034
Email: jokuonzi@kyu.ac.ug or
okuonzijohnie@yahoo.com
United States of America.
Dr. Anthony C Ikeme
National Coordinator
President & CEO
Clintriad Pharma Services
102 Pickering Way, Suite 200
Exton, PA 19341
Tel: 484.753.3405
Cell: 215.380.9920
Fax: 610.384.5455
Email: aikeme@clintriad.com
ZambiaMs Lilian ZULU
Coordinator, Centre for Energy
Environment and Engineering Zambia(CEEEZ) Ltd, 176 Parirenyatwa Road
Suite B. Fairview, P/B E721
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel/Fax: +260 211 223118
Email: ceeez@zamnet.zm or
lmunyeka@yahoo.com
Zimbabwe
Mr. Benson Zwizwai
Economics Department, Universityof Zimbabwe
P. O. Box 880 Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 772494902
Fax: +263 4 333345
Cell: +263 912245614
Email: bmutzwizwai@yahoo.com

African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
8th Floor, Chancery Building, Valley Road
P.O. Box 10081-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20271 4092; Fax: +254 20 2714028
Email: info@atpsnet.org
Url: http://www.atpsnet.org
Skype: ATPS Network

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