The Nano-Revolution and Economic Development: Is Africa Ready

Abstract

Humanity is at the cusp of a technological revolution transitioning from the ‘Age of Discovery’
to the ‘Age of Mastery’. Nanotechnology is central to this revolution. There is an air of realistic
optimism about the nanotechnology revolution. Those who missed out on the information
technology revolution, resulting in the once yawning ‘digital divide’, will not miss out this time
due to the cost or nature of nanotechnology (Khan, 2006, p.104). Some even argue that such
modern technologies should not just be affordable but also extremely affordable to create
‘value for money and for many’ (Mashelkar and Borde, 2010). In this paper, the aim is to
capitalise on this optimism and it is argued that Africa must renegotiate the governance of
nanotechnology to ensure that the social solidarity, inclusionary and redistributive ethos are
duly and effectively engaged at the global level. The paper highlights what Africa needs to do
on its part besides demanding a renegotiation of the terms of the governance of the
technology