Science & Tech

 The cooperative framework agreement document on the use of the Nile River, or CFA as it is normally referred to, is the first agreement in the history of the Nile Basin which came to fruition with the full participation of all the Nile Basin countries. It is also the first agreement in the basin which explicitly states that the utilization of the Nile should be based on the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization, the principle of causing no significant harm and the obligation to cooperate, which are foundational principles in international water law.

The year 2022 marks the 100th birthday of Nobel Prize winning chemist Har Gobind Khorana–or so we think. The exact date of his birth is not known because Khorana was born in poverty in a British Indian class that rarely recorded such dates. As a child, he had to beg a neighbor for a glowing ember so his mother could light their daily cooking fire. He was 6 before he owned his first pencil. Khorana emerged from this background to receive a Nobel Prize in 1968 for deciphering the genetic code that translates DNA sequences into the protein molecules that carry out the functions of living cells.

It is often pointed out that Africa is the riches in natural resources. It is a fact that cannot be disputed. But then, the argument proceeds with a comparison with countries which are comparatively poor in natural resources. Look at South Korea. It had lower GDP than many African countries at independence but look at it now. The same, they argue, is also true of Singapore. Or they turn to size. How come tiny countries like Israel, and Japan are economically and technologically more advanced than African countries. So, what is wrong with Africa?

The Ethiopian Dam currently under construction on the Abbay river, otherwise known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), has great benefits for Ethiopia as well as the two downstream countries: Sudan and Egypt. One major benefit is that it mitigates flooding in Sudan. Notwithstanding that, in recent weeks the Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi has been quoted to the effect as saying that the dam will endanger the livelihood of over 20 million Sudanese people.

Why does Africa’s forerunner project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) inspire, motivate, and enamor its supporters so much? What is it about the GERD that resonates with us, moves us so deeply that we give from the little that we have, stand by it with our heads held high in the face of fierce powers, and show it a loyalty so deep it even inspires others to stand with us? 

Last November, I published an article titled, “The impact of COVID-19 on science in Africa” in which I shared some positive impacts of the virus at a time that Africa had not yet experienced the full effect of the pandemic. It is now nine months later and so it is pertinent to check on the progress or lack thereof.

March 4th is Engineering Day. Engineering is the application of science to the optimum conversion of the resources of nature to the uses of humankind. The theme for this year's celebration of Engineering Day is ENGINEERING FOR A HEALTHY PLANET.

To say that the COVID-19 pandemic has a profound impact on science and technology in the world is a gross understatement. The challenges posed have stimulated many scientific and technological developments across the globe, some of which are re-purposing of old technologies whereas others are brand new.  The recent announcements of COVID-19 vaccines are examples of such speedy accomplishment, but much more still needs to be done.