According to the World Bank, the African population is projected to reach two (2) billion by 2050; how can STEM research inventions and innovations being currently done in African universities be used to create jobs for African youth and young adults? And, how can we use research inventions and innovations to create jobs to alleviate the precarious journey of African migrants to Europe via the Mediterranean?
How can the African Diaspora, development partners, donors, foundations and the private sector be engaged to catalyze exponential research in Africa to create jobs for African youth and young adults? There is plenty of African research and innovations that is just sitting on shelves or labs ready to be commercialized and scaled to be a startup; then possibly a small business; or a medium to large company. Imagine a typical African country that can utilize their universities to scale their own research inventions and innovations to create jobs? Imagine the force multiplier effect for jobs and sustainability in Africa?
Many African universities on the continent are conducting and doing impactful, meaningful and exponential research innovations – can an enzyme from a plant with the support from the latest Artificial Intelligence create the next billion-dollar drug? This type of research and innovation – using life science and computer science will be able to create the jobs of the future for our youth. Future-proofing jobs for the next generation of leaders – our youth, is important for stability, sustainability and a peaceful continent.