Indicators for scientific & technological development in Africa

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOP. AFRICA Intergovernmental Committee of Experts

for Science and Technology Development Fifth Meeting

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2-6 November 1987

Distr.

LIMITED

S&T/lGCESTD/5/5(ii)a 29 October 1987 Originals ENGLISH

INDICATORS FOR - SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

S&T/lGCESTD/5/5(ii )a

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INDICATORS FOR - SCIENTIFIC & TS<~'^'^CICAL DEVELOPMENT

IN AFRICA

The importance of indigenous scientific and technological capacity on short and long-term socio-economic development by the African States has been recognised by the Lagos Plan of Action. Studies carried out by developed nations revealed the immense potential of R and D in effecting technology development and in

One of the criticisms levelled against prevailing S and T indicators is on the inherent assumption that scientific research constitutes the most important mechanism for developing indigenous S and T capacity, regardless of level of socio-economic development. Indicators related to R and D publication may not only lack valid correlation with scientific and technological activities in Africa, they may also adversely affect the relevance of such activities to socio-economic development. Resource allocation may be correlative with the

importance attached to a sector development. However, S and T financing indicators presented in aggregate form, as percentages of GNP allocated to R and D may be limited in relevance to conditions in developing nations. The development of S and T involves different emphasis on different fields of R and D for different

nations.

The limitations associated with the validity of prevailing S and T indicators appear related to only the short and medium-term development needs of most African

Various strategiesare applied by developing nations for socio-economic development. The role and extent of involvement accorded S and T in these

strategies differ from nation to nation. They range from passive to very active

depending on several factors, among which is the degree of appreciation of the

importance and relevance of S and T in socio-economic development. The nations

which actively involve S and T in their development strategies need criteria for

regular evaluation of the impact of this involvement.

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S&T/lGCESTD/5/5(i;)a

Page 2

A study of development strategies and the role of S and T in selected countries. Egypts Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda and Tanzania was carried out by the ECA and a report is attached. The study has revealed that very few African countries have well defind roles for S and T.

The study is in four major parts. An introduction highlights the historical basis for the development of science and technology indicators

in current use. It points out the lack of contextual validity and relevance of some indicators for developing nations in general and African States in particular. Part two examines country development strategies and the role of S and T in the selected countries. It relates them to national aspirations.

Part three examines national mechanisms, their functions and authority for effecting S and T capability development. It also examines the extent of application of S and T indicators in the selected countries. Part four

contains- proposals on the development and application b'f'S and T indicators

in African States.

In spite of the general concensus, in the selected countries, on the indispensability of domestic S and Incapacities, for achieving desired economic goals, the report reveals that the role of S and T in national development strategies has not been accorded equal emphasis. There is also unequal evidence of the recognition of the fact that.maximum potential for

achieving desired impact is obtainable when the role of S and T links science and technology developments technology production and technology application in

an effective chain of activities'. Indicators of this impact must therefore

■riot" provide for the evaluation of only the performance of the link between science and technology development. They must also provide for the assessment of the effectiveness of all the components of the chain.

■■"■.]■

I c the purposes of proposing a model set of criteria for assessing the impact and effectiveness of the performance of these components on scientific and technological development in Africa, the chain of S and T activities have been broken into the following three sections, each section having its own set of indicators:

- S and T infrastructure development;

- S and T development activities; - ,

- S and T application and utilization, .

Another set of proposals deal with the combined effect of all the three sections, with indicators for assessing the impact of S and T activities on sectoral and national level development.