Patricia Mweene Lumba
Senior Knowledge Management Officer, Sustainable Development at African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
Optimizing the Africa Knowledge Agenda for the Knowledge Society.
Successful engagement in a Knowledge Society depends on access to its paramount resource: knowledge (Elder et al., 2013). When managed efficiently, data and information can enhance Africa’s participation on the global arena. Africa must reinvent its participation strategy to become a leader in the knowledge economy, beginning with an awareness of the fundamental components of a Knowledge Society. UNESCO (2013) asserts that Knowledge Societies extend beyond technology and information; they represent human development accomplishments grounded in social values, technology, and creativity. Essential facilitators encompass equitable education for all, cultural diversity, universal access to knowledge, and engaged community involvement. A comprehensive strategy, endorsed by governments and organisations, can facilitate Africa’s incorporation into the Knowledge Society, thereby elevating the quality of life for its population through knowledge, technology, and innovation.
Knowledge Management (KM) is essential for realising the African Union (AU) vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous, and Peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.” Nevertheless, numerous deficiencies must be rectified to actualise this idea. The knowledge access gap is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Reevaluating the Knowledge Accessibility Discrepancy
The Right to Information (RTI) has been crucial to sustainable development since the 1992 Rio Declaration (Article 19, 2017). Marginalised communities frequently lack access to vital development information (Bentley & Chib, 2017). Farmers serve as both data sources and users; nonetheless, they are marginalised in decision-making processes controlled by affluent stakeholders (De Beer, 2016). Mitigating this inequality necessitates the establishment of comprehensive Open Science frameworks to facilitate evidence-based decision-making (FAO, 2020). Open government data has shown promise in enhancing accountability and fostering economic development; nevertheless, further efforts are required to guarantee that marginalised populations get the benefits of these initiatives.
Governments and stakeholders must prioritise the dissemination of open data that enhances quality of life and aids non-governmental organisations in the effective analysis and application of this data. Moreover, localised transmission techniques, including community media, can provide wider access to essential information.
Tackling the Digital Divide
Access to technology is a crucial factor influencing participation in Africa’s Knowledge Society. Notwithstanding advancements in mobile technology use, obstacles such as elevated internet expenses, lack of skills, and insufficient financial resources remain. Substantial access to technology necessitates collaboration among governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Such collaborations can enhance data collecting, verification, and feedback systems, promoting a culture of accountability and openness (World Bank, 2015).
Advancing the African Knowledge Agenda
To enhance Africa’s role in the Knowledge Society, five key steps are imperative:
– Augment Access to Decision-Support Data: Integrate best practices and empirical evidence with policies and programs, assessing their impact at both national and continental scales.
– Encourage Peer-to-Peer Learning: Foster knowledge transfer via north-south partnerships and the expansion of effective knowledge management programs.
– Enhance Data Systems: Develop resilient national and local data management frameworks for monitoring advancements in critical areas including trade, agriculture, environment and health.
– Empower Disadvantaged Communities: Implement capacity-building activities to guarantee that all citizens can access and employ knowledge for sustainable development.
– Utilise Open Knowledge Models: Create frameworks for content syndication, promoting collaboration, and enhancing transparency and sustainability of knowledge management systems and processes.
Advancing a Cohesive Knowledge Agenda
The heterogeneous landscape of Africa needs a cohesive strategy for knowledge dissemination. Embracing the ethos of Ubuntu—the interconnectivity of humanity—can enhance networks among KM practitioners and advocate for open knowledge initiatives. These initiatives can cultivate digitally-enabled, costefficient platforms that enhance stakeholder engagement and expedite the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In summary, Africa’s Knowledge Agenda should emphasise localised knowledge management solutions that enhance transparency, cooperation, and innovation. By doing so, Africa may establish itself as an equal participant in the global Knowledge Society and attain the transformative objectives delineated in Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keywords: Africa knowledge agenda, cohesive knowledge agenda, digital divide, Knowledge Accessibility Discrepancy