Paper short abstract:

The literature on emerging technologies has stressed the tendency of societies to leapfrog into development. But little attention has been paid to the technoscientific research base of countries. This piece examines the link between research capacities and technological futures.

Paper long abstract:

Discussions on emerging technologies and development have stressed the tendency of developing societies such as those in Africa to leapfrog into wealth and prosperity. This argument, advanced in response to the criticism that emerging technologies would widen the gap between developed and developing economies, have noted that the futures of African economies are predicated on nations stage skipping their way to technological progress. Thus African technological futures rest on the (in)ability of African economies to technologically leapfrog. However little attention has been to the technoscientific research base in these countries. In fact, research and development capacities that will enable the technological leaps and thrusts have not been adequately examined. The presentation explores the research capacities of Africans countries, and how the capacities relate to their technological development and possibilities. It argues that while African futures rest on technological leapfrogging, robust technoscientific research and development capacities are critical to delivering those technological leaps and futures.