Science, Technology and Innovation as Drivers of Environmental Sustainability in Africa

This paper examines Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as Drivers of Environmental Sustainability in Africa. The relationship between science, technology and innovation (STI) was examined from scholars' perspectives. The paper highlighted the inability of African countries to meet up with Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) commitments by setting aside 1% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards building and accelerating scientific and technological capabilities. This inability militated against the attainment of the objective designed to improve innovation, productivity, economic growth and human development as well as produce the requisite number of scientists and researchers. The unattained objective by African countries when compared with economically advanced countries in practical terms of scarcity of resources, slow economic recovery and growth through STI, and an inappropriate enabling environment was identified as the gap that needs to be bridged. The theoretical framework rests on United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific's “Strengthening of National Innovation Systems” model. The literature review focused on the twin scientometric indicators of research publications and patents as indicators of development. The extent to which African countries have developed when compared with the rest of Europe was backed up with data. The paper proffered solutions as the way forward. Some of these include: Developing talents, scaling up investments in science and technology, establishing scientific organization bodies, and improving STEM education in schools, among others.