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Even though Africa has produced some of the most innovative and successful scientists throughout the globe, African countries have struggled to retain that talent. A brain drain indeed, African scientists would rather study and practice abroad where there are better resources and more opportunities. Currently, about 40 percent of African scientists are living in European Union (EU) countries.

In 2007, during an African Union (AU) summit, African leaders were advised to allocate one percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to research and development by 2020. They were also encouraged to revive scientific knowledge in their country’s institutions. Presently, African countries are beginning to see the huge potential in the sector, which has a great impact on economic development and growth. A senior research fellow and program head of Inclusive Bioeconomy at African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Kenya, Hailemichael Teshome Demissie, advocates, innovation in 3D technology as a way of defeating the high unemployment rate which has crippled the continent despite claims of growth in other sectors.

While many have called on African leaders to fully embrace and develop the educational sector to reflect science and technology, rising trends in technology in Africa and for Africans show that the development has little to do with government involvement. In October 2015, Nigerian born, Freeman Osonuga became the first black African scheduled to visit space, for the Rising Star programme.