Transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation Framework and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Abstract

Despite elaborate efforts at Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy enunciation, Africa has yet to optimally engage with how best to locate and position Indigenous or traditional knowledge (IK/TK) and its stakeholders in the new and emergent technological dynamics often designated as the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its bioeconomy components. Given the disconnect over IK/TK systems in African STI policy instruments, the paper argues for a deliberate Indigenous knowledge sensitive continental STI strategy without excluding integral opportunities in other realms such as intellectual property. Such approach to STI is necessary to ensure that Africa is well positioned to leverage and optimise its factor endowments in Indigenous knowledge and underlying systems for its production. Indigenous knowledge is crucial for continental Africa’s participation and ability to benefit from all facets of knowledge production under the 4IR innovation ecosystem. The significance of Indigenous knowledge and its ramification for STI in Africa continues to resonate in the context of the push for equitable access to the benefits of science, technology and innovation especially taking into account the bioeconomy adjunct of the 4IR.