Introduction to the African Strategy for Fundamental and Applied Physics (ASFAP)

TL;DR

The paper introduces ASFAP, a strategic initiative aimed at boosting fundamental and applied physics in Africa to foster scientific literacy, technological development, and socioeconomic growth through collaboration and resource prioritization.

Contribution

It presents the vision, goals, and potential impact of ASFAP as a comprehensive strategy to elevate Africa's physics research and innovation capabilities.

Findings

ASFAP aims to enhance African physics research infrastructure.

The strategy promotes regional and Pan African collaborations.

ASFAP seeks to align physics development with socioeconomic benefits.

Abstract

Generating scientific and technological knowledge and converting them into innovations which are of added value to society are key instruments for a society economic growth and development. As outstanding as these capabilities are for other regions in the world, Africa science, innovation, education and research infrastructure, particularly in fundamental and applied physics, have over the years been under valued and under resourced. To efficiently address the scientific and technological gaps with the rest of the world, Africa stance needs radical overhaul. With the big ambition to drive a community wide effort in Africa, the African Strategy for Fundamental and Applied Physics (ASFAP) was founded. The aspiration is to demonstrate the physics potential benefits for African society and how physics can contribute to the technological infrastructure development and to provide trained personnel needed to take advantage of scientific advances. The vision consists in fostering scientific literacy driven by physics based technologies and their impact for economic growth, including other sciences that draw heavily on advances in physics. In addition to developing and enhancing collaborations and partnerships among Africans in national, regional, and Pan African organizations. This should assist to tackle the challenges that Africans struggle and prioritize educational and research resources, innovation and development. The ASFAP initiative could present a unique opportunity of overcoming the complexity of the African social and economic challenges, if Africa needs to have and maintain its position as a coleader in the global scientific process and reap the consequent socioeconomic benefits. ASFAP will take a few years with a final report to notify the African policymakers and broader communities.