Technology policy study centres in Africa

Abstract

A meeting was held in Nigeria in response to the interest of some African countries in setting up centres for technology policy research. Papers were presented outlining the role of technology policy and planning in development, and reviewing the experiences of Europe, North America, and Latin America in this area. It was pointed out that the study of technology policy and planning would allow developing countries to achieve an enlarged technological capacity in a short period of time, while still integrating this development with the economic, social, and cultural development goals of their society. A discussion on technology policy and planning in Africa followed the presentation of the papers, and representatives from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria summarized their country's present level of development in this area. Finally, a list of recommendations was prepared calling for: the establishment of national, multidisciplinary groups to carry out technology policy studies; the presentation of a travelling seminar to assist in the formation of these groups; and the creation of a regional program to encourage cooperation between national groups.