Substantive and institutional aspects of the choices, adaptation and design of industrial technology in African countries

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to consider the need for and feasibility of creating centers for the choice, adaptation and design of industrial technology in African countries. That this should be a topic worth discussing suggests immediately that there is something amiss with technology choice at present which is, in fact, the view of many sympathetic observers. The remainder of the paper is organized in two parts; the first of which reviews some specific research into the choice of technology; and the second of which deals with the question of institution building. Here it may be useful to note that the ordering of the elements in the title choice, adaptation and design, is not accidental; and that although the paper is written with African conditions specifically in mind, the problems of technology choice range beyond the confines of a single continent so that in recognition of this international (intercontinental) aspect of the question, emphasis is placed on the role of the Economic Commission for Africa.