Indigenous Technology and Technology Transfer in Africa
Issues, Challenges, and the Way Forward
Keywords:
Indigenous Knowledge, Technology Transfer, Sustainable Development, Socio-Economic TransformationAbstract
This paper examines the complex interplay between indigenous technology and technology transfer in the context of Africa’s development. Since independence, African nations have pursued economic growth and socio-political progress through a combination of indigenous practices and imported technologies. However, the continent continues to face challenges in achieving technological self-reliance due to overdependence on foreign innovations, policy inconsistencies, and misperceptions of African indigenous systems. Drawing from historical perspectives, definitions, and theoretical viewpoints, the study critically analyses the factors influencing technology transfer, the challenges of indigenous technological development, and the pathways toward sustainable technological advancement. The paper concludes that Africa must embrace its indigenous knowledge systems, strategically integrate foreign technologies, and develop institutional frameworks that ensure technological sovereignty, while fostering innovation, research capacity, and regional collaboration to drive inclusive and context-specific development across diverse socio-economic sectors.
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