Africa needs to face up to brain drain, says its scientific community

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Africa‘s continuing brain drain is putting its economic and social future at risk. That’s the word from the continent’s scientific community ahead of the G8 Summit.

The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) says the “brain drain” is depleting Africa of its scientists and experts and contributing to the delay of its development. It also has significant consequences on migration flows.

NASAC adds that approximately one third of African scientists lives and works in developed countries, representing a considerable loss of potential contributors to the African economy. “Africa remains the world`s least scientifically proficient region,” it avers, “and, not coincidentally, the world`s poorest region.”

The pan-African organisation is calling on the G8+5 countries to invest US$5 billion to rebuild the continent`s universities, and US$3 billion to assist in establishing African centres of Excellence, as discussed at the G8 Summit of 2005.

This forms part of what NASAC calls a multi-pronged approach to solving the problem, “focusing particularly on the quality of higher education in Africa“.

In addition, it is suggested that financial support be extended to young African scientists pursuing postgraduate and postdoctoral training in Africa, and launching regional centres of excellence providing incentives to attract the best scientists.

This will enable Africa to improve its S&T infrastructure, and to decrease the likelihood of losing scientists in the future. 

Taking into consideration that many of those scientists that Africa has already lost to brain drain will never return, NASAC recommends that efforts be made in including diaspora scientists in knowledge collaboration initiatives.

The G8+5 are also asked to support international research projects involving African scientists, to encourage collaboration between African scientists, both in developed countries and in their home countries, in order to create working opportunities, exchange know-how and establish institutions vital for the future development of African countries.

NASAC emphasises that S&T is a collaborative enterprise where it serves as a bridge, not a barrier, to social and economic progress.

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