Robotics Education in Africa: Africa Compete

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Africa are as old as humanity itself. STI has been an integral part of the pre-historic man and thus integral to Africa and the evolution of mankind. Documented evidence suggests that Africa is amongst the most strategic continents in the history of STI development, globally. Some of the most important technological innovations for human survival have unique origins in Africa. For instance, development in tool making industry has its root in Africa. About 2.3 million BC “homohabilis’ residing in East Africa developed the first tool-making industry called “Olduwan”. Following this, the Acheulean stone tool industry (characterized by hand axe) emerged in Africa in 1.5million BC, and spread to Middle-East and Europe around 800,000 and 600,000 BC. A significant development, which influenced all later stone tool industry, is the creation of bone tools and black blades in Southern and Eastern Africa around 90,000 to 60,000 BC. Use of iron in smelting and forging for tools appeared in West Africa around 1200 BC making it the first birth place of the iron-age. Before 1800, Africa’s methods of extracting iron were employed in Brazil, until more advanced European methods were instituted, while copper smelting developed independently in West Africa around 900 AD. Investigation into space and time also began in Africa.“Paleolithic Africans” began a process of stargazing as far back as 40,000 years ago. The process transformed into a systematic observational science in the Nilotic lands of Africa between 6,000 and 12,000 years ago. The most important result of the Nilotic stargazing was the invention of the calendar and the basis for the modern astronomy. The “proto-technology” of the modern world is traceable to the iron-ore mining 43,000 years ago in Southern Africa and the emergence of “proto-mathematics” from the Africa’s Great Lakes region over 25,000 years ago. From these beginnings, science and technology underwent steady development in Africa, with the continent reputed to be the earliest origin of formal mathematics, astronomy, engineering, architecture, navigation and map-making. The recent discovery of the Timbuktu manuscripts rekindled confidence that Africans were studying mathematics and astronomy at least over 300 years ago. Other discoveries also record that there were advanced concepts of modern physics in Mali. From the foregoing, it could be argued that Africa had great beginnings in its role in shaping global science and technology.

… although agriculture and natural resource will continue to be important drivers of Africa’s economic growth, it is the application of modern technologies that will have the most significant impact on the growth trajectories of most African economies. Specifically, the greatest opportunity for growth will come from technological innovation and the adoption of new technologies in services sectors, such as banking, insurance, health, education and agriculture. New opportunities have arisen that make it possible for low-income economies to leapfrog other countries by adopting technologies that are suitable to their specific circumstances. Those countries that embrace and invest in technology will be able to sustain growth and be competitive regionally and internationally (Kemenyi & Moyo, 2011, p.13).