Africa Needs to Prioritize Homegrown Innovation, Says AUST Chairman
The Africa University of Science and Technology (AUST) emphasizes the importance of shifting Africa’s focus from imported technologies to nurturing homegrown innovations, a transition driven by the commercialization of research. This message was conveyed by AUST Chairman Peter Onwuru during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, ahead of the Africa X Summit, scheduled for April 27-29.
Onwuru pointed out that many of the current solutions addressing the continent’s challenges are largely reliant on imported technologies and semi-processed materials, rendering development efforts unsustainable. He highlighted that despite Nigeria’s youthful, educated workforce, vast natural resources, and the rise of innovation hubs in urban areas, the country continues to grapple with the challenge of converting academic knowledge into real economic value.
“The issue lies in the fact that nearly everything we consume or utilize in production is imported,” Onwuru remarked. “This dependency hampers the sustainability of our development agenda.” He emphasized the need for a strategic shift to allow local innovations to flourish.
While acknowledging the commendable efforts of young people and researchers in developing technologies and solutions, Onwuru stressed that significant strides must be taken to turn research findings into market-ready innovations and services. He described this challenge as a systemic failure, inhibiting the commercialization of discoveries despite the presence of over 300 higher education institutions, numerous research centers, and a burgeoning informal innovation sector across the continent.
To facilitate this transformation, the AfricaX Summit was designed as a collaborative platform for innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to come together and address this critical gap. The event aims to connect visionaries looking to scale their innovations with investors in search of viable opportunities, ultimately guiding selected innovations toward market readiness.
Onwuru also expressed that the initiative aims to enhance collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies responsible for policy formulation. He added that the summit will extend its reach beyond Nigeria to encompass other African nations, aligning with the continent’s expanding efforts towards economic integration through frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In support of sustainable research and development funding, Onwuru called for the establishment and implementation of a National Research and Innovation Fund. Kingsley Ogwudu, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, described the summit as a pivotal moment in Africa’s innovation journey, set to serve as a catalyst for uniting innovators, researchers, investors, policymakers, and development partners, thus bridging the divide between African research and global capital.
Ogwudu stated, “Africa can no longer afford to be merely a consumer of innovation and technology. We must evolve into architects of solutions for our own challenges, encompassing health, education, climate change, energy, and fintech.” He outlined the summit’s key focus areas, which include innovation ecosystems, investment and finance, youth and women empowerment, and the establishment of public-private partnerships aimed at reversing brain drain by creating opportunities for African talent to develop globally relevant solutions. The AfricaX Summit is poised to become an annual event, rotating through various countries in Africa to enhance cooperation, promote knowledge sharing, and foster innovation throughout the continent.
