AU must invest in research work - Prof. Ayende
8th October 2024
Africans are blessed with talented researchers, but resource constraints often stifle their potential.
Governments in Africa have not shown serious interest or commitment in financing their scientists and researchers to do more for the continent.
Against this backdrop, Prof. Nyende is calling on the African Union (AU) to be strategic in mobilizing funds for research across the African continent.
According to the seasoned plant molecular biology professor, African governments must allocate a small percentage of their national budgets to research. He cited Kenya, which has dedicated 1% of its national budget to research work. However, many other countries are not in a position to do so, making it appropriate for the AU to step in and assist in this area.
In his view, “1% toward research bodies is substantial enough to create a revolving fund that we can leverage to seek additional international funding for related projects.”
“If we don’t, and continue to rely on research funded by international bodies who have their own interests to satisfy, we will remain in our current situation.”
He added, “If we fund ourselves, we can pursue our own interests; if we rely on external funding, we must meet the objectives of the funders.”
Prof. Nyende expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and seeks the AU’s support to lead the way in reducing Africa’s dependency on international funding for research activities.
He argues that Africa has the human resources to do more for the continent, but it continues to lag behind because it lacks the financial independence to carry out its own research without external support.
“How long must Africa continue in this state? Can’t we adequately retool our scientists and researchers to address our own problems, rather than depending on external sources?” he asked.
African scientists and researchers have the capacity to save the continent, but our leaders must prioritize investment in research institutions to address the pressing issues we face.