Enabling African Prosperity Through STEM – by Lucy Quist

I am an unashamed advocate for greater participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Corporate experience has taught me that young people insufficiently engage with STEM. While life experience has taught me that we live in an age where the fundamental pillars of sustained prosperity are built on a foundation of STEM.

Have you ever heard people talk about the luck of the draw? I view this through the lens of where people are born. Too many people in Africa are born into circumstances that mean they have limited opportunity to realise their potential and create prosperity for themselves. Prosperity that means they thrive through life and not just survive it.

The formula is pretty simple: Good healthcare means a mother can healthily carry a baby to full term. It also means the baby will survive childhood.

Good education means they will have a chance to explore their talents (everyone has something to offer) and realise their potential. Realised potential should be exercised through job opportunities that provide the stability for the individuals to live progressive lives. So why is what I say simply not being actualised?

I have found that around the world, including right here in Africa, we have collectively come to assume a narrative that subconsciously operates on the notion that, a little is ok for the African. The focus is on improving current circumstances and not on what should be.

I often wonder what would happen if each African country came up with a business plan that determined when and how much it would cost to build the foundation for prosperity that will touch all of its citizens?

To be very clear, I see a number of countries in Africa with leaders who are genuinely working on improving the circumstances of their people. What I am referring to is more akin to a business plan that the entire country buys into.

In business, we typically assess the environment – our assets and liabilities, do a SWOT analysis, look at competition and understand trends.


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