5 - Collaboration: Importance for Africa

Summary

Scientific collaboration is an unavoidable practice in science. Science is growing with collaboration, which is itself increasing. The chapter examines the kinds of collaboration, from regional to international, that prevail in Africa. Bibliometric data forms the basis of this analysis. Collaboration in Africa can be explained by the core-periphery theoretical model. Regional collaboration within Africa was not as strong as international collaboration that is mostly with the USA, France, the UK, Germany and Belgium. The colonial ties of Africa have not been severed in the current collaborative links and continue to have prominence in international scientific collaboration. Some neocolonial ties are also evident in international collaboration in recent years. International partners, apart from their past ties, look for scientifically strong countries in Africa to associate with. Within the continent, South Africa is the centre of regional collaboration, maintaining scientific ties with many other African countries. Specific scientific fields and collaboration are related. Scientific alliances between specific countries in Africa and other countries are found in the analysis. Forms of collaboration also vary across African countries. While international collaboration is useful, the comparative benefits gained are not equally beneficial for Africa.