Shedding some light - R&D surveys in Africa

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to look at how knowledge based economy development can be instrumental in addressing developmental issues. This paper seeks to explore science and technology systems on the African continent, understand its value and importance and highlighting some of the successes that have been achieved through adoption and adaptation of international best practice from Europe and the Americas. By examining the work of the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (ASTII) initiative, this paper hopes to evaluate progress within the African S&T system. We aim to investigate Science and Technology (S&T) measurement in Africa as well as the problems associated with the measurement of S&T across Africa and reporting on the successes from the South African S&T system by presenting findings from the latest South African national R&D survey.