Scientific and technological research could solve many of Africa's local issues, but these problems persist despite generous international support.

The situation is made worse by a severe shortage of well-trained, home-grown scientists, and aggravated by emigration and poor working environments (see, for example, M. H. Hassan Cell 131, 433–436; 2007). Countries in Africa lack adequate equipment, have no running budgets and almost no ethics codes or regulations. These factors also discourage African scientists trained abroad from returning home and applying their valuable skills.

Solutions derived from the developed world are unlikely to work, because Africa's reality is centuries behind and there is no infrastructure for implementing them. It is a matter of priority to bridge this yawning gap, otherwise the continent could be left behind for ever.

Africa should be using some of its international aid to guarantee long-term education in science and technology for new generations: only then can our research be self-sufficient and our science capacity advance.