Innovation key to Africa's industrial growth

Editor, refer to Kelly’s feedback in the letter, “Industry will stimulate Africa’s growth” (The New Times, July 6). In sub-Saharan Africa, we didn’t, and are yet to verbally and literally enunciate local technologies. But traditionally, we weren’t, and we are not devoid of ingenuity. Our highly efficient and most appropriate indigenous techniques are just being continuously despised and systematically stunted by ourselves Africans first. And believe me you, this has nothing to do with national ego, not at all. Rather, it is a matter of real know-how to optimally manage resources available to us. And this is what we are lacking, due to being constantly distracted. In my product development mindset, the image of hides does not necessarily lead to ‘shoes’ only, a limited range of all conceivable footwear, as we technically call those artifacts. So many other artifacts you can think of can be made out of this raw material, provided, however, individuals are left totally free to concentrate and ‘create’ whatever else is needed by their community first, and eventually after, by various international collectivities. And this exchange, both at community and possibly the international levels, is the real kernel of improvement knowledge, giving and borrowing at the same time. You’ll agree with me that this is much enriching than just sitting idle, waiting to receiving from whoever else pretends to give you...free! Rather an organised and more or less disguised robbery, and alas, just like at the epoch of African slavery, some among us being consciously and others unconsciously active accomplices to their own deprivation... Francois-Xavier Nziyonsenga

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Innovation key to Africa's industrial growth