Abstract
Effective science, technology and innovation (STI) policies and strategies reflect a country's successful contribution to scientific advancement. While the economic and geopolitical framework of many North African Countries (NACs) transformed enormously during the past decades, their relevant policies and performance were not responsive enough in adapting to these dynamics. This review is meant to highlight the current development and evolution of NAC's STI policies as well as similarities and identified common societal challenges within NACs. It focusses on the nexus approach to water, energy and food. The findings of this review suggest that the existing reform and development of the STI system in NACs require reorientation towards higher socioeconomic relevance and innovation focus accompanied by legislative measures, effective monitoring and evaluation tools as well as engagement of relevant stakeholders and the adequate leverage of sufficient strategic investments.
Highlights
Science and technology (S&T) policies in North African Countries (NACs) were first developed in the 1990s
Egypt adopted in 2014 a new constitution which mandates the allocation of 1% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to research and development, and stipulates in its article 23 that the state guarantees the freedom of scientific research while encouraging institutions as a means towards achieving national sovereignty and building a knowledge economy
For the first time in both countries, the constitution included explicit clauses that underscore the protection of intellectual property rights and the importance of building a knowledge economy
Summary
Science and technology (S&T) policies in North African Countries (NACs) were first developed in the 1990s. For the first time in both countries, the constitution included explicit clauses that underscore the protection of intellectual property rights and the importance of building a knowledge economy In this context, only Libya has similar explicit clauses in its constitutions among the other NACs. During the same period, neighboring Arab states reached several important milestones in scientific research (Bizri, 2018e; Malik & Awadallah, 2013). Despite major differences in existing science and technology ecosystem settings, many NACs are currently engaged in reform plans that support public science engagement and the development of productive citizens who will advance the national economic interests of establishing knowledge economies These reforms are driven by a recognition of the huge mismatch between the labor market needs and the outcomes of the education system (Malik & Awadallah, 2013). It is important to highlight that the root cause is related to the mismatch between the supply and demand for skills in the system, which in turns, reflects the inefficiency of existing measures and policies (Malik & Awadallah, 2013; Mansour & Kanso, 2017)
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