Failing Government Policies Behind Economic Backwardness In African Countries

The Theme of the Third International Conference jointly organized by the laboratories of the University 2 of Oran and the Center for African Technology Studies based in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, hosted by the western Algerian city of Oran for the two past days, highlighted the emergence of innovation devices geared for the development of a permanent industrial base in Africa.

Questions about the contradiction that makes rich countries with their natural wealth suffer from poverty and underdevelopment in various fields were also discussed by those in attendance.

The speeches of lecturers ranging from Professors, Doctors and Researchers from Algerian and foreign universities, such as the United States of America, focused on inquiries based on documented data that there are close links between what is happening in most lagging developing African countries and the policies of their governments that are not based on strategies that keep abreast with the changes and developments of the times.

Taking the floor, Professor David Calbin of the United States affirmed that even in the case of wealth and natural resources possession in some countries of the continent, corruption precludes  the development of their national economies. 

He also criticized the adoption by all countries of the continent of the economy based on natural resources, by 100 percent, and this is a blunder in his opinion.

Professor Abdelkader Djaflat of Lille University in France and Coordinator of the Maghreb Network for Science and Technology said in a statement to “Echorouk” that it is high time to reconsider the problem of innovation, creativity and development in African countries and to forge the manufacturing industrial base so as to shore up their economies. 

He pointed out that there are field studies and scientific researches in Algeria and other countries in Africa and which have shown that the models derived from the developed countries, used to apply in the development  areas, aren’t efficient and do not reflect the requirements of their national economies and their peoples, notably regarding the promotion of scientific research and innovation projects aimed at spurring industrial development in particular. 

He also stressed that the decisions and recommendations of the conference should receive the required attention of governments that have been for decades dependent on the pattern and mineral wealth so as to find themselves a safe way to achieve stability and sustainable development..