Scientific freedom lacking in Africa, Unesco finds

The ability of researchers to carry out scientific research and disseminate its results remains a significant challenge in many African countries, according to a new report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). It notes that Africa represents 12.5% of the global population but contributes less than 1% to research output, and that R&D expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa fell from 0.44% to 0.42% of GDP between 2014 and 2018 .

The report specifically addresses ‘scientific freedom’ in six African countries – Ghana, Namibia, Congo, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe – arguing that scientific freedom is essential to drive the innovation for sustainable development. Some of the challenges in Africa that Unesco highlights include inadequate legal and policy frameworks, insufficient resources and contested funding allocations, as well as political pressure resulting in self-censorship.