Rabat – Morocco has showed the most progress between 2001 and 2011, according to the new rankings of Science and Technology Index.
The recently released Index’s new ranking was developed by RAND Science and Technology for the World Bank.
It noted that while African nations are still far behind and most remain near the bottom of the list, Morocco has considerably advanced the rankings by 2011.
The new study revealed that Morocco made the most progress in Africa between 2001 and 2011, advancing from the 25th to the 4th position. Algeria also made a notable progress as it moved from 28th in 2001 to 5th place in 2011.
Out of the African nations in the original RAND index, South Africa came on top, followed by Egypt, while Tunisia ranked 3rd. On the opposite end, Mozambique, Chad and Eritrea landed at the bottom.
RAND said Morocco is among the few African countries that show signs of an upward trend in science and future technological capabilities, along with South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria and Mauritius.
It pointed out that South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria and Mauritius are among the front runners due to their investments in science, technology and innovation.
Several countries in Africa are poised to reap the economic benefits of increased investment in science and technology, RAND noted.
Science has helped stimulate economic growth in regions investing in innovative solutions around the world.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the countries with the greatest promise, apart from South Africa and Nigeria, are Benin, Botswana, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Sudan.
Meanwhile, countries that ranked rather low but still show some promise for joining the others in the future are Liberia, Guinea, Namibia, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Furthermore, the report informs that Africa’s tertiary education enrollment rates are among the lowest in the world.
“The African average is 7.1%, compared to 25.1% elsewhere in the world,” the report concluded.
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