At the Africa Universities Summit, a crucial conversation unfolded about transitioning from “brain drain to brain gain” in Africa.
Moderated by Weynand Steyn from the University of Pretoria, this session brought together leaders to address how to retain Africa’s educated youth and bridge the gap between research and industry.
Steyn highlighted the paradox of Africa’s brain drain. “The fact that we have a brain drain from Africa means we have quality youth and graduates,” he explained. The migration of skilled individuals reflects Africa’s growing pool of educated youth, which is in high demand globally.
As the global youth population shrinks, Africa’s talent has become increasingly sought after. However, Steyn emphasized the need to create environments where these young people want to stay and contribute to the continent’s development.
Fiona Njikumuyus, CEO of the Mawazo Institute in Kenya, addressed a critical challenge: how Africa markets its research. “There’s almost like a marketing problem,” she said. While Africa’s graduates are in demand worldwide, the continent itself isn’t doing enough to retain them. “We need to believe in them more than others do,” she stressed.
For Africa to capitalize on its talent, it must invest in research sectors and create incentives for graduates to stay.
William Tero, Director of the Center for Inclusive Digital Transformation of Africa at Carnegie Mellon University, emphasized Africa’s potential in the global digital economy.
He called on the continent to lead in technology, but noted a significant gap: many African graduates don’t see a path for applying their research locally. “Our graduates leave because their research isn’t linked to industry needs,” Tero explained. To retain talent, universities and governments must create career pathways where graduates can see the direct impact of their work within local industries.
The key takeaway from this session was the need for stronger collaboration between universities, governments, and industries. Aligning research with industry needs is critical to keeping talent within Africa. When graduates can apply their research locally, they are more likely to stay and contribute to their country’s growth.
Kolawali Ajanokul, Vice-Chancellor of Landmark University in Nigeria, shared how his institution fosters practical education. He highlighted how students engage in research that directly benefits local industries.
“When universities and industries collaborate, graduates are more likely to stay,” Ajanokul said.
At Landmark University, research projects such as waste-to-wealth initiatives have had a tangible impact on local industries, offering real-world solutions to pressing challenges.
However, Ajanokul pointed out that many universities fail to communicate their value to local industries. “There’s an assumption that industries automatically understand the potential of academic research,” he explained.
Universities need to market their research and engage with industries proactively to identify mutual benefits. This gap between academia and industry mirrors the broader issue of Africa’s natural resources being exploited abroad, without local industries benefiting.
Fiona Njikumuyus also spoke about the need for better communication between academia and industry. She noted that researchers often struggle to make their work accessible to industry professionals and policymakers. Using platforms like LinkedIn, she encouraged researchers to increase their visibility and create more opportunities for collaboration.
However, Fiona acknowledged that differences in language and communication styles between academia and industry make collaboration difficult. Overcoming these barriers is essential to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s intellectual capital.
William Tero further emphasized the need for African universities to adapt quickly to changing industry needs. He criticized traditional academic models, which are often too slow to respond to global shifts in technology and markets.
“We need universities that are agile and responsive to industry needs,” Tero argued. He called for universities to identify industry demands first and tailor curricula to meet those needs.
Ajanokul shared examples of how universities can become more industry-responsive. At Landmark University, first-year students participate in employability workshops, which help them align their studies with local industry demands.
Both Landmark and Covenant Universities regularly invite industry professionals to campus, ensuring students are exposed to real-world applications of their studies and are better prepared for the workforce.
As the summit concluded, the discussions made one thing clear: reversing the brain drain requires stronger academic-industrial collaborations. By fostering innovation ecosystems, improving communication, and ensuring research is relevant to industry needs, Africa can transform its intellectual potential into real-world solutions.
The “brain drain” may seem like a setback, but it also presents an opportunity for Africa to invest in education and foster stronger industry ties. With these efforts, Africa can turn its brain drain into brain gain, ensuring that its young researchers play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s future.
