Africa.

Africa: The New Partnership for African Development (NePAD) plans to establish five science and technology programs on the continent. Centers will be located in northern, eastern, western, central and southern Africa. NePAD will study each region's research and technology resources and infrastructure, and by the end of the year, assemble public and private stakeholders to assign regional priorities. According to John Mugabe of NePAD's African Forum on Science and Technology for Development, the scientific resources of each country vary greatly due to colonial legacies. England conducted more scientific research in its colonies than France. Public investment in R&D by many African countries is less than 0.4% of GDP, according to Mr. Mugabe. However, political support for such investments is strong. NePAD plans to raise funds from public and private sources.

Source: The Scientist