Resources, relevance and impact – key challenges for African universities : how to strengthen research and higher education in Africa

Global and regional goals, such as Agenda 2030 and the African Union's Continental Education Strategy for Africa, foreground higher education as an engine for development and job creation. Yet, many African universities perform weakly in international comparison. This policy note looks at the challenges in strengthening the freedom, relevance and impact of research and higher education in Africa. Recommendations for policymakers: Minimise inequality Improve data collection Train more lecturers Benchmarking and networking Build equitable relationships Safeguard academic freedomThis policy note is based on conclusions and experiences drawn from the ongoing research project at the Nordic Africa Institute; "The Space and Role of Political Science in the Evolving Democratic Transformation in Africa", led by Professor Liisa Laakso and supported by Postdoctoral Researcher Kajsa Hallberg Adu. The project compares African countries and their levels of democratisation with the situation and status of the political science discipline.