Technology transfer, negotiation and aquisition in Africa : particularly in the sectors of industry, transport and communications in the context of the African Economic Community

Abstract

One of the major difficulties in the promotion of socioeconomic development is to define the role of government. This is particularly so in these changing and demanding times. Indeed, the winds of change are blowing hard on many parts of Africa and pressures are mounting to adapt to a relatively new world marked by an unprecedented expansion of free market, open economies and emerging democracies. This document provides a modest contribution to the many economic and technological issues facing Africa at this particular time and particularly to the policies of African countries in the field of technology transfer, negotiation and acquisition. One of the reasons why Africa lags way behind in socioeconomic development is its inability to efficiently manage technological change, and particularly to integrate proven productive technologies in its industry and agriculture to enable its goods and services to compete in the world market. The document advocates a number of policy reforms in line with the Abuja Treaty and free market economics. It is hoped that it will be useful to policy and decision makers in science and technology and in economic development.