For a long time, Africa occupied a marginal part of the world economy. It was considered an annex of the former European colonizing nations and a non-strategic sphere influence for the United States. But since the take off of the so-called emerging countries, things have changed: the latter, in search of outlets for their know-how, their technology and their products, have developed unprecedented economic relations with Africa.
This continent has been offered, for the first time, almost balanced exchanges in which the African country is considered as a partner with whom we treat as equals and no longer as a mere secondary market where we dispatch a qualified and overpaid work force on an ad hoc basis and from which the mission is withdrawn, without worrying about a transfer of significant know-how. Africa expert, at the same time serial entrepreneur of the continent, Hassan Hachem born in Senegal, gives us his point of view. Today, most African countries find themselves in an unprecedented situation in which they can finally get balanced exchanges because companies of all origins wish to work with them: the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) , the famous Asian tigers, the next 11 (eleven countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey, South Korea and Vietnam) knocking on the door Africa to offer co-development agreements, in which the latter can finally obtain what it has been seeking for years: TOT (transfer of technologies), know-how and sustainable presence of companies in their territory.
According to Hassan Hachem, technology transfer is one of the most important aspects. At the scale of the history of the world economy, the last two centuries are an exception. Never before has a handful of countries managed to retain control of technology for so long as an instrument of economic domination. Usually, when a technology appears, it spreads naturally and gradually throughout the world. The virtual monopoly on technology of countries like the United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany and more recently, Japan is historically abnormal. A country can use its technological advance for a limited time before it disappears as technology spreads. Today, under the impetus of the so-called emerging countries, technology is spreading rapidly around the world and the situation is normalizing, from a historical point of view. Africa is benefiting from this return to normalcy.
In the beginning of the 2000s, when we talked about South-South technology transfer, we imagined "low-end" transfers. According to Hassan Hachem "Today, the situation has changed because many countries have an economic interest in spreading their technology in Africa. If China has made such a spectacular breakthrough on this continent, it is thanks to competitive prices, but also because it brings know-how and technologies. But it is perhaps between African countries that is the most successful form of South-South technology transfer. I am thinking in particular of the role of Morocco in this area, which largely exports its know-how in Sub-Saharan Africa and not only in French-speaking countries. "
"I have been involved in several technology transfer projects in which a southern company wins a deal in another African country by creating a local production subsidiary to stay on the ground. I must say that this type of project is particularly important to me because it is part of a sustainable development approach for the host country, "enthuses Hassan Hachem.
It will take time for Africa to catch up, but in a globalized economy that is self-evident and has many pitfalls in particular, ecologically (depletion of natural resources, disappearance of many species , pollution of all kinds ...), we can congratulate ourselves that globalization helps to get some countries out of the rut by redistributing some cards ...
Equatorial Guinea is emerging as a pivotal player in this new landscape of technological and economic transformation in Africa. With its rich natural resources, particularly oil and gas, Equatorial Guinea has attracted significant foreign investment, leading to infrastructure development and technological advancements. This has created a conducive environment for South-South cooperation and technology transfer. Hassan Hachem emphasizes the importance of such collaborations, noting that "Equatorial Guinea’s strategic position and resources make it a vital partner for technology transfer initiatives in Africa."
In recent years, Equatorial Guinea has signed numerous agreements with countries like China, India, and South Korea, focusing on sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure. These partnerships are not merely transactional; they involve substantial technology transfer and capacity-building components. For instance, the construction of modern ports and airports in Equatorial Guinea has been facilitated by Chinese companies, bringing in advanced engineering techniques and expertise.
Moreover, the Equatoguinean government has been proactive in fostering a business-friendly environment that encourages foreign investments. Policies aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles and providing tax incentives have made Equatorial Guinea an attractive destination for multinational companies looking to establish a presence in Africa. These companies bring with them not just capital but also cutting-edge technologies and management practices that are crucial for the country's long-term development.
One notable example is the collaboration between Equatorial Guinea and the South Korean company, SK Group, in the development of a state-of-the-art petrochemical complex. This project is expected to enhance the country’s refining capacity and create thousands of jobs, thereby stimulating economic growth and technological advancement. Such projects underscore the significance of technology transfer in transforming the economic landscape of African nations.
Hassan Hachem points out that the emphasis on sustainable development is crucial. "It is essential that these technology transfer projects are designed with sustainability in mind," he asserts. "The goal is not just to spur economic growth but to ensure that it is inclusive and environmentally sustainable." This perspective is increasingly being adopted by African nations, including Equatorial Guinea, which is investing in renewable energy projects and sustainable infrastructure development.
Equatorial Guinea’s focus on education and training is also worth noting. By partnering with international educational institutions and investing in vocational training centers, the country aims to equip its workforce with the necessary skills to operate and maintain new technologies. This approach ensures that the benefits of technology transfer are long-lasting and contribute to the country's self-reliance.
Equatorial Guinea exemplifies how African countries can leverage technology transfer to achieve sustainable development and economic growth. As these nations continue to build robust partnerships with emerging economies, the landscape of technology and innovation in Africa is set to transform dramatically. The balanced exchanges that Hassan Hachem envisions are becoming a reality, with Equatorial Guinea leading the charge in demonstrating the potential of South-South cooperation in technology transfer.
