Funding science in Africa - an EU perspective

Partnerships between the EU and Africa can help deliver on the Millennium Development Goals and create market opportunities for Europe – writes MEP

Science, information and space technology are becoming increasingly important drivers of socio-economic growth in Africa, and ultimately are helping the effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. That is why, along with other members of the European Parliament, I have tabled written declaration 45 on science capacity building in Africa. We urge colleagues to support scientific partnerships between the European Union and Africa. In particular - the promotion of radio astronomy and encouraging greater mobilisation of European funding mechanisms and investment in research infrastructures.

Science and research have already been prioritised as catalysts for growth and development in Europe. Improving the flow of information and the exchange of knowledge between the two continents in the field of radio astronomy could also bring much-needed growth and development in Africa, and could create new market opportunities for both continents. Several African countries have already made important investments in radio astronomy. The continent is currently developing some of the world's cutting-edge radio astronomy projects and already hosts facilities such as the Southern African Large Telescope and the Gamma Ray telescope High Energy Stereoscopic System in Namibia. It places Africa firmly on the world map as a hub for astronomy.

Now Africa is bidding to host the Square Kilometer Array or SKA - the most powerful radio telescope ever conceived which seeks to provide answers to fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of the universe. Nine African countries - South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia - are involved in the bid and the result will be announced by a consortium of major international agencies in the coming months. Africa, as a continent, has a competitive advantage in the study of radio astronomy because of its astronomically rich southern sky, low levels of radio frequency interference and very little light pollution; a unique combination of geographical and socioeconomic conditions making southern Africa an ideal candidate to host the radio telescopes of the future.

If successful, the SKA bid would represent the largest ever science-based capital injection into the African economy with an estimated total investment in the order of €1.5bn. It would facilitate infrastructure development, including broadband connectivity, promote growth in technology markets, drive innovation, develop skills in the workplace and help to curb the brain-drain of bright young people from the region. If Africa is allowed to play an increasing role in the global knowledge economy - then science will be able to make a very significant, durable and effective contribution to Africa's human, social and economic development.

Fiona Hall is an MEP for North East England and leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the European Parliament