Why Africa Must Become a Center of Knowledge Again

In a world where ideas travel at the speed of a click, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò’s call to re-center Africa in the global knowledge economy lands with urgent clarity. He argues that knowledge production has been shaped by power dynamics that push Africa to the margins, even as the continent harbors immense intellectual potential. This piece examines why that shift matters and how it can be realized in practical, tangible terms.

Historical roots and modern opportunities

From the ancient libraries and manuscript traditions of Timbuktu to the scholarly exchanges across the Maghreb and the vibrant universities of the Sahel, Africa has long been a cradle of thinking and learning. Today, however, global knowledge systems too often frame Africa as a consumer rather than a creator. The opportunity now is to center knowledge around local questions—food security, affordable healthcare innovations, and climate-resilient technologies—while inviting collaborative, equal partnerships with the wider world.

Knowledge sovereignty—where communities control the terms of inquiry, data, and outcomes—emerges as a practical goal, not a theory.

Barriers that keep Africa from the center

Underinvestment in higher education, a persistent brain drain, restrictive data regimes, and misaligned research incentives all contribute to a widening knowledge gap. Global funding often prioritizes rapid metrics over meaningful, locally relevant impact. Language diversity compounds the challenge: when critical work is published in languages that aren’t widely accessible on the continent, local practitioners and policymakers miss out on essential insights.

Paths to rebuild the knowledge center

Progress hinges on coordinated action that translates ideas into daily life. Concrete moves that institutions, governments, and communities can pursue together include:

Invest in research infrastructure — modern labs, data centers, and field stations across disciplines to support a robust scientific ecosystem.
Open access and knowledge sharing — ensure findings are readily available and cultivate regional repositories for data and manuscripts.
Strengthen regional networks — build cross-border hubs that connect universities, think tanks, and innovation ecosystems.
Engage the diaspora — create fellowships, collaborative grants, and exchange programs that bring expertise back home.
Honour local knowledge systems — blend traditional practices with scientific methods where appropriate, and document indigenous innovations.
Data sovereignty — anchor data governance in local oversight with transparent accountability.
Multilingual scholarship — publish and disseminate in multiple languages to broaden reach and relevance.

What success could look like

Picture a continental ecosystem where a Nigerian data scientist collaborates with a Kenyan public health researcher, supported by regional accelerators and open repositories that anyone can build on. Research outputs directly inform policy, local industries prosper through homegrown innovations, and students see themselves as knowledge producers with real impact. This is not a distant dream but a design problem with clear levers and shared purpose.

Ultimately, re-centering Africa in knowledge is about more than prestige. It’s about delivering solutions that strengthen health systems, governance, and climate resilience while fostering inclusive growth. Táíwò’s argument isn’t a call for isolation; it’s a blueprint for fair, sustainable collaboration that starts where people live and work, and expands outward from there. When Africa writes its own knowledge futures, the ripple effects extend far beyond its borders—uplifting communities, regions, and the global conversation alike.