Science, Education and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Economic development of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) depends to a large extent on the ability of SSAn societies to introduce technical change, which in turn is the result of a confluence of many factor: scientific and technical knowledge, management, institutions, and propier economic and social environment. This paper deals only with one aspect of technical change in SSA: the production of scientific and technical knowledge. Part I presents a quantitative view of the scientific output in SSA based on data from the Science Citation Index that provides information on scientific publications and citations by field and by country. Sirnce universities are the focus of scientific research and training in SSA, Part II analyzes enrollments and outputs of universities in SSA in the area of science and engineering to ascertain their future role in fostering science and engineering. Any increase in the quantity and quality of universiLty outputs in science and engineering will require the upgrade of the level of scientific and mathematics knowledge of the pool of entrants to higher education. Part III presents a picture of science education in secondary schools in a selected number of countries in SSA based on answers to a specially designed questionnaire. Part IV formulates a strategy for science and education in SSA and the possible role the World Bank in this strategy.