Issues and Challenges for the Development of the Knowledge Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Africa and particularly Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest tertiary gross enrolment ratio globally, significantly lower than South Asia. This low enrolment is happening at the time when the population of the region is growing at unprecedented rates creating a population age structure dominated by young people under the age of 25 years. Unfortunately, the high population growth rate is not corresponding to the level of adequate human capital required for economic growth. For the region to gain from its youthful population, there must be concerted efforts to enhance productivity through education and skills development. In other words, governments in the region must ensure that the growth in the youthful population must be such that they are capable of contributing to the economy through productive jobs. While higher education institutions in the continent, continue to fall short in number of students they enroll and the quality and relevance of training they offer. This paper argues that both the number, length and quality of schooling in Africa is responsible for low economic growth. The paper proposes that unless investment in higher education is enhanced, countries in the Sub Saharan Africa will not attain requisite economic growth commanded by knowledge in science, technology and innovation. The paper recommends that since higher education generally has a greater effect on development outcomes, there is a need for develop policies and strategies to ensure investment in higher education is given high priority.

Keywords: Knowledge economy, Sab-Saharan Africa, higher education

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-17-06

Publication date:June 30^th 2019