Abstract:
African Union, the continental body that unites 55 African states, has
championed the strategic framework, Agenda 2063 since 2015. The Agenda
2063 spells out a blueprint for transforming Africa, aimed at promoting the
quality of life and wellbeing for all citizens through citizen capacity building
underpinned by science, technology and innovation, and through building
productive and socio-ecologically resilient economies and agriculture (Agenda
2063, 2015, African Union Handbook 2022). Such ambition is impossible
without the growth of life sciences in Africa. Despite a widely held conventional
view that African countries still lag far behind in scientific development, the
tremendous effort that African researchers, civil groups, government and
quasi-governmental organizations in Africa have invested in mobilising the
development of life science in Africa cannot go unnoticed. I am an early career
female scientist who works at the University of Kabianga, Kenya. In this short
perspective piece, I want to share some of my personal views about life sciences
in Africa based on my experiences working with life scientists as well as the
views of my African colleagues. In particular, I hope to demonstrate the often
ignored roles female scientists and civil organisations play in developing a fair
and sustainable bioeconomy in Africa
