Africa 'needs more nuanced science cooperation with Europe'

Miners in Africa

A conference has heard that  European science cooperation with Africa needs redefining, as it is failing to address wide-ranging needs and challenges experienced by African countries — and often ignores those countries most in need of support. This assertion was reinforced by South Africa's minister of science and technology, Naledi Pandor, who pointed out that cooperation should not be based on fragmented projects.  Pandor warned against viewing Africa as a single homogenous entity: there are 54 countries with very diverse capacities and challenges, which cooperation strategies should address, she said.  Lidia Brito, director of science policy and capacity building at UNESCO (the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), said Europe's investments in Africa should be more sustained than in previous years, and that the European Union should support sustainable growth in Africa and the development of skilled personnel.