John Maré
3 March 2008
opinion
Johannesburg — AS AFRICA becomes increasingly intermeshed with the global economy there is an urgent need for improved scientific research that can be applied in a manner that supports strengthened and sustainable economic growth and expands African expertise.
Without an increased role for science, African economies will generally not be able to take advantage of international and local opportunities and will continue to operate below optimal potential. Possible benefits are many, including improved effectiveness and competitiveness of African business, together with improved lifestyles for the people of Africa in a quality environment.
Supportive partnerships between stakeholders on various levels, both nationally and internationally, are important to achieve a strengthening of science in Africa and its application to support economic growth. Interaction should take account of context for optimal results. Mechanisms to deliver such partnerships need urgent attention from all stakeholders, especially as the technical nature of many issues makes them difficult to target.
While the need to improve choice and delivery of energy to meet Africa's growing requirements is fairly obvious, there are many other areas where science can support business in Africa.
Many relate to trade and an enhanced business climate, ranging from improved environmental monitoring to improved patent rights to sustain relevant scientific activities on the continent. Science should be employed to beneficiate agricultural and mineral products, which is regarded as especially important for diversifying African economies.
Examples of hidden applications of science for business growth can be found in the trading regimes of the European Union (EU), which continue to be of great relevance to Africa, where the current state of fluidity makes the "science factor" all the more important for future benefits and possible support.
The new Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals (Reach) system of the EU, for example, demonstrates how the EU has an impact on global economic standards and trade through a largely scientific dimension. Reach represents a challenge for Africa, but is also an opportunity to use the system to strive for new world-class levels of economic production. Reach will have an impact on global standards due to the EU's role as the world's major trading bloc.
The Reach system aims to improve the quality of chemical policy and management of chemical substances within the EU economy, with parallel envisaged results including improved environmental and health standards and improved quality of most sectors of EU industry through improved leadership, innovation and competitiveness. It is considered an initial step to investigate all chemical substances -- including those contained in manufactured items -- currently circulating within the EU, and will be reinforced by ongoing attention to any new substances.
Exporters have to give data to EU importers of their products to enable them to supply details to the European Chemicals Agency. This demands an African ability to supply correct data to ensure chemical inputs in exports have minimal problems in the EU market. Also, should their products risk losing competitiveness in the EU market because of the new Reach requirements, to try to improve the chemical component of their exports.
African exporters can also increase their products' attractiveness if they can help EU importers comply with Reach by developing safety assessments and implement risk management measures for substances in their products.
Pesticides and some other chemicals have an impact on food production, including the control of pesticide residues on agricultural products, are exempt from Reach as they are already well dealt with in other sets of EU regulations focused on food and health.
In terms of Reach users of chemicals that are brought into the EU have until June this year to register these chemicals or face a lengthy and costly later registration, which this adds to the urgency for all to find ways to deal with Reach.
Increasingly stringent phytosanitary rules applied by importers of foodstuffs are another specific challenge for African producers that illustrates how scientific factors can have an impact on trade in often unforeseen ways. Compliance demands increased scientific support. Here again the rules of the EU are especially complex and tend to influence global standards.
Those of Japan and the US are not far behind. Taken together with Reach compliance relating to foodstuffs packaging, EU phytosanitary criteria are especially formidable challenges for African agri-trade and need careful management.
It is hoped that such innovative actions as the UN-supported Science with Africa conference, which takes place in Addis Ababa this month , with the accompanying launch of the Science with Africa Office, will help science support Africa's business activities.
Dr John Maré is an adviser on international public affairs and diplomacy, for multinational companies, governments and international organisations. He is a senior adviser in the AEAC consultancy network focusing on EU/African business issues.
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