Africa faces numerous challenges that inhibit its research potential, technological advancements, and overall socio-economic development. Despite global attention, the continent continues to lag in areas such as policy-making, innovation, and the application of research outcomes. The following are some of the key issues hindering African research:
- Lagging Behind Global Standards
In many areas, Africa is struggling to keep pace with the rest of the world. Whether in education, technology, or health, the continent’s development is significantly behind. This gap in progress is not only reflective of limited resources but also structural inefficiencies, corruption, and the external influences shaping its policies and economies.
- The Translation Gap
One major issue is the time it takes to translate research into actionable policies, products, or social interventions. On average, it takes around 14 years for research findings to be applied in a practical context. This translation gap delays much-needed innovations and solutions that could address pressing societal challenges, such as health crises, food insecurity, and climate change adaptation.
- Ineffective Utilization of Research
Only about 30% of academic publications in Africa lead to societal benefits, with 70% of research only circulating within academic or scientific circles. Most publications serve only to boost academic citations rather than produce meaningful changes in policy or society. This insular approach to research has slowed the potential for scientific breakthroughs to positively impact African communities.
- Flow of Research Funding
Research funding allocated to Africa often comes from Western sources, but it is funnelled through intermediaries, leaving only a small portion for local African researchers. Consequently, the funds left are insufficient to solve local issues effectively. This unequal distribution of resources not only limits African researchers but also diverts attention from addressing Africa’s unique problems in favour of global or Western priorities.
- Researcher’s Detachment from Society
Many African researchers are shielded from the practical problems affecting society. Academia, in many ways, functions like an isolated “researcher’s club,” where the focus is on academic recognition rather than solving local societal problems. This disconnect limits the relevance and applicability of their work to the real challenges facing African communities.
- Inequitable Distribution of Grants
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation allocates around $2 billion in grants for African projects. However, about 50% of this funding ends up going to US-based institutions, leaving African institutions underfunded. This discrepancy exacerbates existing trust issues and fosters a dependency on external institutions to lead research on African problems rather than building local capacity.
- Poor Representation in Global Knowledge Systems
Africa produces a significant amount of research, but it is underrepresented in global databases and citations. For instance, Africa has around 2,700 academic journals, but only 7% of these are indexed in SCOPUS, a global database that tracks research output. Similarly, only 7% of African journals are cited in Science Direct, and 37% in Google Scholar. If African research is not indexed in global databases, it remains invisible to the world’s knowledge production systems, preventing African voices from influencing global science.
- Limited Regional Research Infrastructure
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), with its regional office in Dakar, Senegal, has established a presence in 35 African countries. Additionally, it has an office in Nairobi, Kenya. Despite such initiatives, there is still insufficient infrastructure to support large-scale research collaborations across Africa, limiting the potential for regional research integration and progress.
The Need for Research to Transform Lives
For research to make a tangible difference, it must go beyond publications and be implemented in real-world scenarios. More research needs to be conducted, translated into practical applications, and used by policymakers, businesses, and communities. This requires stronger partnerships between researchers, governments, and the private sector to ensure that findings are translated into innovations, policies, and products that improve lives.
The African Research Connect Platform can be instrumental in addressing this issue by helping researchers find collaborators and partners both within Africa and internationally. Such collaborations could enhance the quality, scope, and impact of research across the continent.
Short-Term Goals for African Research Funding
One immediate goal is to increase the amount of research funding that comes directly to Africa without being filtered through Western intermediaries. Currently, only 9% of the funding earmarked for Africa reaches the continent directly, but the aim is to increase this to 25%. This shift would empower African researchers and institutions to take control of their own research agendas, fostering solutions that are more closely aligned with local needs.
Critical Questions to Address in African Research
- How Do We Decolonize Research in Africa?
Decolonizing research involves reshaping the priorities and structures that have historically marginalized African researchers and their work. African scientists need to develop research that is different—research that is grounded in the needs of their own communities and not just driven by Western agendas. Mutual, beneficial partnerships between African and international institutions are essential for fostering inclusive and equitable research practices.
Researchers must ask themselves: Who am I doing this research for? Is it for personal academic promotion, or is it to genuinely benefit society? This introspection can help redefine the purpose of research in Africa.
- Where Do We Place Rewards?
Africa needs to reassess how it rewards researchers. Currently, the academic system often values publications and citations over practical applications of research. There should be more emphasis on rewarding research that directly benefits society and influences policy. In addition, teaching and knowledge dissemination should also be given more value, as education is a key driver of development.
- What Is the Rest of the World Doing Differently?
Globally, other regions have been more successful in translating research into innovation and action. This success is often due to stronger partnerships between universities, governments, and industries, as well as a culture that emphasizes the practical application of research. Africa needs to cultivate a similar culture by incentivizing collaboration between these sectors and prioritizing the practical use of research findings.
- Government Use of Policy During Crises
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that African governments often rely on international research rather than local studies to inform their policies. This is problematic because the unique socio-economic and cultural contexts of African nations are not always reflected in Western research. A stronger focus on local research and its integration into government policies is essential for addressing the specific needs of African populations.
Governments need to establish stronger links with local research institutions to ensure that policy decisions are grounded in local evidence. Building a culture that rewards research and aligns with government priorities is crucial for translating research into effective policy.
- Increasing the Trust and Value of Local Research
There is a need to bridge the trust gap between African researchers, governments, and funding bodies. Developing mutual trust will allow for more direct funding and collaboration between African and international institutions. By fostering partnerships that prioritize Africa’s needs, and by ensuring that local research is valued and used in policy-making, Africa can build a more self-sufficient and impactful research ecosystem.
Conclusion
The challenges facing African research are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By addressing the structural issues related to funding, representation in global knowledge systems, and the translation of research into action, Africa can begin to bridge the gap with the rest of the world. Ultimately, the goal should be to create a research environment that is responsive to local needs, rewards impactful work, and empowers African researchers to lead the charge in solving the continent’s most pressing problems.
