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Preamble

Africa stands out from other continents by its particular context marked by the following main characteristics :

• Very heterogeneous continent (United Nations: 54 countries)
• Recent independence acquired barely 60-70 years ago
• Border issues resulting from colonization
• Slavery, occupation and loss of self-confidence
• Some infrastructure but few qualified human resources (illiteracy)
• The values of the Economy belong mainly to Europe
• Some countries have no sovereignty over their currency
• Development assistance programs
• Standing in assisted posture
• Cycle of political instabilities, conflicts and bad governance

The last 20 years have seen significant growth, much better governance and human resources, but inclusive and distributive economies remain necessary.

A new era is dawning for Africa but several challenges must be met.

Africa’s challenges

• Better take advantage of abundant natural resources
• Control demography
• Develop its infrastructure and generalize access to electricity and drinking water
• Develop a better health system
• Boost its economy
• Better investment in education, science, and technology

Facts by data

Average age in 2022 :

•  18.8 in Africa
• 30.1 in the rest of the world
• 42.4 in Europe
• UN. Source: Statista (2022)

Threat
Diseases and devastating epidemics persist :

• Ebola
• HIV/AIDS
• Malaria
• Tuberculosis
• Meningitis

An increase in non-communicable diseases :

• Cardiovascular
• Cancers

African economies are not diversified

Very strong dependence on natural resources : 50-93%
Only four countries have an economic diversification index higher than the world average
1. South Africa
2. Egypt
3. Morocco
4. TunisiaSource: United Nations African Development Report (2022)

Threats and challenges for development

Economic challenges :

• The stability of countries is obligatory (no development without stability)
• Only a fifth of Africans work in a wage economy.
• Significant informal sector (must be included in the formal sector)
• 80% of the African economy is agrarian (need for industry)
• Infrastructure (roads, schools & universities, hospitals, etc.)
• Access to electricity and drinking water…)
• Translate growth into poverty reduction and improved well-being of the population
• Demographic control
• Change: from the extractive economy to a transformative economy
• The economy must be oriented towards local needs
• Regional and continental integration

Two major priorities :
1. Investing in its Youth (Education/Science) and its Infrastructure
2. Improve its Governance
10 scientific challenges for development
1. New resilient agriculture (combining AI, biotechnology and agriculture)
2. Food industry
3. Fertilizers (South-South collaboration)
4. Health Sciences
5. Water-energy-agriculture link
6. Water management and desalination combined with solar energy
7. Industry (Chemistry, Metallurgy, Mechanics, Electrical, IT, etc.)
8. Health economics (Medicine…)
9. Transforming the extractive economy into value-added products
10. Need for an African strategy for IT, AI, cybersecurity and defense
ASRIC : Must be given the necessary means to fully play its role as lever and engine to stimulate STI and STEM in Africa

Conclusion

• Africans must believe in their abilities and rely on themselves
• Investing in HR (Youth)
• Investing in infrastructure, education and research-innovation
• Technological sovereignty (vaccines, drugs, medical devices, food safety, AI, water, energy, industry & new technologies, etc.)
• Shifting to a transformative economy
• Intra-African geopolitical and economic integration (coordinated efforts in the areas of economy, geopolitics, diplomacy and defense).
• Diversify international partnerships, but watch out for predators
• Better governance and inclusive development (Women, youth, remote areas) and distribution of wealth