AfDB President Calls For More Investment In Science And Technology
TECH DIGEST – African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Akinwumi A. Adesina, has called for more investment in science and technology to cope with the fourth industrial revolution.
Adesina said the fourth industrial revolution will be marked by advances in artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, nanotechnology and biotechnology.
He disclosed this during a visit to the Makerere University’s Chairperson of Council, Lorna Magara, and university management.
According to him, “University education is the most critical thing that any society should do, and when it comes to Africa, you find that not more than 9% of our population has access to tertiary education.”
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Adesina speaking later, while receiving an honorary doctorate from the University, recounted how a phone call from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni some 20 years ago while working with Rockefeller Foundation led to one of the country’s unique home-grown innovation
The African Development Bank president said Museveni had sought his advice to deal with the country’s banana glut.
He said: “That conversation eventually led to a relationship with Makerere University’s food technology department, which developed a method to transform bananas into shelf-stable flour that could be used to prepare the local staple dish, matooke.”
Adesina told students and faculty: “It is such good news to join the roster of your distinguished honorary graduates of Makerere. Makerere is close to my heart. Makerere University is known for innovation.”
The honorary doctorate recognized Adesina’s “distinguished contribution to science, research and academic leadership, reform and thought leadership”
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