Chairman of the African Union Scientific, Technical Research Commission (AUSTRC), Dr Ahmed Hamdy says African researchers and inventors are bereft of innovations because they do not pay attention to community based needs.
Hamdy, the Head of the African Union (AU) specialised institution, responsible for promotion of science and technology at continental level, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
He said Africa has not experienced significant development in the sciences because most technology used is foreign, expensive and does not meet the needs of the rural communities.
Hamdy stressed that it was important for African innovators and researchers to take into cognizance the needs of the bottom of the consumer pyramid across the African continent.
“There has to be a change in the way and manner research is conducted in Africa, it has to be appropriate and market driven.
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“The research landscape in Africa needs to be changed to focus on community needs and market driven innovation.
“Considering the fact that the people at the grassroots constitute the majority percentage of the population and potential consumers, this is an untapped resource for inventors,’’ he said.
Hamdy also called on African researchers and inventors to pay greater attention to community based innovations that would be inclusive and address the challenges on the continent.
He urged them to be more informed about their local community needs and carry out informed researches to address same.
The AUSTRC chairman stressed that scientists on the African continent must make simplified technology and tailored for the needs of indigenous communities.
He called on the government to support the growth of local researches by creating an enabling environment through formulation of favorable policies and financial support-
Hamdy noted that the growth of local researches and innovations will promote industrialisation. (NAN)
