Africa asked to spend more on research to halt brain drain

Failure to invest in science is slowing Africa’s growth, the founder of a landmark conference has said.

Next Einstein Forum (NEF) chairman and founder Thierry Zomahoun said this has driven engineers, researchers and scientists abroad.

 Africa loses $4 billion every year by outsourcing jobs in science, technology, engineering and maths, the so-called STEM fields, to foreign professionals.

Most scientists and engineers who train in Africa work abroad because of the continent’s limited opportunities and resources, he said, noting that Africa accounts for only one per cent of global scientific research.

“There are still a lot of scientists across Africa, but they have been made invisible by a lack of development and investment,” Zomahoun said on the sidelines of the NEF Global Gathering - Africa’s first global science and technology forum.

“We want to make them and their work visible - to attract young people to stay, and encourage those who have left to come back to aid Africa’s development.”

Some 700 mathematicians and scientists from 80 countries are attending the event in Dakar, Senegal, as well as various government ministers and the presidents of Senegal and Rwanda.

The forum is showcasing the work of 15 of Africa’s best young scientists, who are working on issues ranging from big data and cybersecurity to public health and waste management.

Cameroonian scientist Wilfred Ndifon is using a mathematical approach to develop a vaccine for malaria, and believes his method could also be used to design vaccines for other viral diseases such as yellow fever, dengue and even Zika.

— Reuters