In Africa, there is one undeniable truth: no matter the focus--whether youth-driven, women-driven, or community-driven--the common denominator for sustainable development lies in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). Technology is not just an enabler; it is a critical engine that will drive the transformation of the continent. Without embracing innovation, digitalization, and the technological leap required for the future, any development initiative will remain limited.
For example, according to the African Union's Agenda 2063, STI is recognized as a key driver for achieving the continent's long-term developmental goals[1]. However, despite this acknowledgment, the data shows that Africa accounts for less than 1% of global research and development (R&D) spending[2]. While African countries have made progress in increasing access to digital technology, only 0.5% of the world's scientific researchers are in sub-Saharan Africa[3].
Moreover, innovation hubs and tech ecosystems have emerged across Africa in cities like Nairobi, Lagos, and Cape Town, yet their reach remains limited. As of 2021 Africa has 618 active tech hubs[4] which is a promising number. Still, STI-driven initiatives across the continent remain confined to case studies rather than becoming part of a larger movement. Many of these hubs operate in isolation, lacking the national STI ecosystem that would allow innovations to scale and embed into the broader economy
Africa's Missing "30-Meter Surf Wave" of Innovation
Despite improvements, in 2022, only 36 percent of Africa's population had broadband internet access[5], with many rural and underserved communities completely disconnected from the digital economy. Most of Africa's Internet activity and infrastructure exists in South Africa, Egypt and Morocco[6]. While mobile technology has been a breakthrough success--seen in the rise of platforms like M-Pesa in Kenya, which serves 50 million users across 7 countries with 59% of Kenya's GDP flows through M-Pesa [7]--these innovations remain fragmented. Over 43% of Africans still lack access to reliable electricity[8], which is critical for supporting a broader digital transformation.
The question remains; why hasn't innovation and technology become part of Africa's DNA? The continent has yet to generate a "30-meter surf wave" of innovation--a dynamic, continent-wide movement where technology is seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Clarifying the Roles: The State and the Job creators
At the heart of this challenge is the role of the State. For Africa to take off and for technology to become an integral part of its social and economic fabric, the division of labor between the State and civil society--which includes youth, women, and local communities--must be clear. The State must build the enabling infrastructure, including the policies and ecosystems that allow technological and innovative solutions to take root. Yet, the pace of this has been too slow, leaving a significant gap between what is possible and what is being achieved. The Global Innovation Index (2021) shows that African countries rank among the lowest globally in terms of innovation capability, with most nations lacking national STI policies. African policymakers must understand that their role in this division of labor is crucial to establishing the broader STI ecosystem, which will enable more modern and comprehensive solutions for the continent's future.
However, the State cannot and should not be responsible for directly creating jobs. Instead, it should focus on creating the conditions under which youth-driven, women-driven, and community-driven solutions can thrive. One clear example of the role of division of labor is evident in the Employment Crisis in Africa.
Africa needs to generate 20 million jobs annually[9]
A key area where STI-driven solutions are needed is in job creation. Africa needs to generate 20 million jobs annually[10] to accommodate its growing workforce. The State alone cannot meet this demand, as it is not equipped to be a direct job generator, especially in today's economy where sectors like industrialization, digital services, and manufacturing are the primary drivers of employment. These are areas where STI initiatives must take the lead.
Out of the 20 million young people entering the workforce each year, African countries create approximately 3 million formal jobs each year, leaving most young people either unemployed or having to rely on low-paying, less productive jobs in the informal sector to sustain themselves[11]. The challenge, therefore, is not just creating jobs but creating decent jobs that provide sustainable livelihoods for Africa's youth. In 2023, 72 percent of young adults aged 25-29 were in insecure forms of work, such as being self-employed, working as unpaid family labor, or holding temporary paid jobs, a decrease of less than 1 percentage point since 2000[12]. Therefore, Africa's youth and civil society are already playing a critical role in job creation, but the absence of a robust STI ecosystem--which the State has yet to deliver--affects not only the number of jobs being created but also their quality.
The Importance of STEM Education
A crucial component missing from Africa's STI ecosystem is widespread STEM education--Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Without a strong foundation in STEM, Africans cannot effectively participate in or drive technological innovation. A significant challenge is the low participation in STEM fields, with less than 25% of higher education students pursuing STEM degrees. Of those, fewer than 30% are women, indicating a weak pipeline for future STEM professionals[13]. Providing STEM education at scale is the State's responsibility, but access to quality STEM education remains limited across much of Africa. STEM education equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to innovate, create jobs, and drive economic growth. It is fundamental to building a workforce that can harness the potential of technology. If Africa is to close the job gap and develop a thriving STI ecosystem, STEM education must be accessible to all, delivered even in rural areas under a baobab tree if necessary.
The Proposal: An STI Compact
To address these challenges, African youth, women, and civil society should propose the establishment of an 'STI Compact' with their governments. This compact would clearly define the division of labor between the State and civil society and outline their respective responsibilities in building infrastructure and creating the conditions for technology and innovation to thrive.
A guiding framework for the STI Compact can be found in the newly adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC), which underscores the transformative power of digital technologies to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GDC emphasizes the importance of closing digital divides, particularly in developing countries, and creating an inclusive, safe, and secure digital future for all. STI Compact in Africa would build on these global principles, focusing on areas such as:
- Energy: The GDC highlights the need for resilient digital infrastructure, powered by reliable energy, which is vital for innovation.
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Safe and secure DPI is essential for broad access to technology, aligning with the STI Compact's goal of ensuring digital access for all Africans.
- STEM Education: The GDC emphasizes the importance of quality STEM education to equip individuals with the skills needed to succeed in the digital world, which directly supports the STI Compact's aim to build Africa's innovation ecosystem.
- Special Fiscal Regimes: Supportive fiscal environments are necessary for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, a shared priority of both the GDC and the STI Compact.
By aligning the STI Compact with the Global Digital Compact, African nations can leverage local and global cooperation to create a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.
Conclusion: African youth do not ask for jobs ... you are already the ones in Africa creating jobs
Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) are the cornerstones of Africa's transformation. Through the STI Compact, which brings together entrepreneurship and STEM education, Africa's youth and civil society can lead the continent into a future of sustainable growth and innovation. Drawing on the framework provided by the Global Digital Compact, instead of asking for jobs, recognize that Africa's youth are already driving job creation, though many of these jobs are few and lack quality. The key is to demand access to high-quality education especially in STEM fields--because with the right education, the possibilities for innovation and growth are limitless.
[1] "Africa Union, Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024," 2024.
[2] World Economic Forum. "African Countries Spend on Average 0.45% of Their GDP on R&D, Far below the Global Average of 1.7%.," November 9, 2023. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/innovative-approaches-for-unlocking-research-and-development-funding-in-africa/.
[3] "UNESCO Science Report: The Race against Time for Smarter Development; Executive Summary - UNESCO Digital Library." Accessed September 22, 2024. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377250.
[4] GSMA. "618 Active Tech Hubs: The Backbone of Africa's Tech Ecosystem." Mobile for Development, July 10, 2019. https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-developmentregion/sub-saharan-africa-region/618-active-tech-hubs-the-backbone-of-africas-tech-ecosystem/.
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[5] World Bank. "From Connectivity to Services: Digital Transformation in Africa. https://projects.worldbank.org/en/results/2023/06/26/from-connectivity-to-services-digital-transformation-in-africa.
[6] Africa Union. "Internet Connectivity - African Union," n.d. https://auti.africa/industries/internet-connectivity/.
[7] Warwick Business School. "How M-PESA Cornered the Market in Kenya | News," 2024. https://www.wbs.ac.uk/news/how-mpesa-cornered-the-market/.
[8] IEA. "Key Findings - Africa Energy Outlook 2022 - Analysis," 2022. https://www.iea.org/reports/africa-energy-outlook-2022/key-findings.
[9] Sharma, Aidar Abdychev, Cristian Alonso, Emre Alper,Dominique Desruelle,Siddharth Kothari, Yun Liu, Mathilde Perinet,Sidra Rehman, Axel Schimmelpfennig,Preya. "The Future of Work in Sub-Saharan Africa." IMF, 2018. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Departmental-Papers-Policy-Papers/Issues/2018/12/14/The-Future-of-Work-in-Sub-Saharan-Africa-46333.
[10] The figure of 20 million is used to illustrate the potential magnitude of the challenge, rather than representing an absolute number. The discussion around job creation is far more complex, as it involves not just the quantity of jobs but also their quality. The 20 million refers to the annual increase in the working-age population, which accounts for those turning 15 each year minus the number of people aged 15 and above who pass away. However, not everyone of working age participates in the labor force. It is the labor force--which includes those who are employed and those actively seeking work (the unemployed)--who require job opportunities
[11] Penar, Eva. "Youth Unemployment Dilemma in Africa: An Examination of Recent Data." Leaders of Africa (blog), January 23, 2021. https://www.leadersofafrica.org/analysis/youth-unemployment-dilemma-in-africa-recent-data/.
[12] ILO. "Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 Sub-Saharan Africa," 2024.
[13] World Bank. "Empowering Africa's Future: Prioritizing STEM Skills for Youth and Economic Prosperity." World Bank Blogs, n.d. https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/empowering-africas-future-prioritizing-stem-skills-youth-and-economic-prosperity.
