- African countries have significantly increased PhD output, with thousands of doctorates awarded in major economies.
- Only 11% of Sub-Saharan African companies invest in R&D, limiting demand for highly skilled researchers.
- More than 10% of postgraduate graduates move abroad annually, leading to brain drain.
Each year, thousands of Africans spend several years in advanced research to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These programs require candidates to prepare original dissertations, publish scientific articles, and in some cases, supervise students in training.
Between 2000 and 2018, South Africa awarded more than 32,000 doctorates, making it one of the continent's leading producers of advanced degrees. Kenya awarded approximately 12,000 PhDs as of 2019, reflecting steady growth in doctoral training.
In West Africa, doctoral education has expanded rapidly over the past decade as higher education systems have grown and research structures have gradually improved. Ghana now enrolls more than 4,000 doctoral candidates, while countries such as Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Benin produce hundreds of PhDs each year, compared to modest amounts in the early 2000s.
According to recent official data, Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, produces several thousand PhD holders annually through a network of more than 309 universities.
At the continental level, the African Centers of Excellence (ACE), supported by the World Bank, has trained more than 7,650 doctoral students between 2014 and 2025 in strategic sectors including agriculture, health, engineering and digital technologies.
limited employment opportunities
However, this quantitative expansion has not translated into equivalent economic transformation, raising concerns about the absorption of highly qualified profiles. According to a September 2024 study by the Institute of Employability, Africa accounts for only 2% of global scientific output.
Universities offer limited permanent positions, and governments provide insufficient funding, forcing many doctoral candidates to rely on international donors or scale back research ambitions.
A Beninese PhD holder interviewed by the Ecofin agency said: “No, not at all, because a large proportion of PhDs trained here go on to have successful careers abroad.” He said the main issue is the lack of local opportunities capable of assessing advanced skills.
Labor markets are underdeveloped, and the private sector contributes weakly to scientific and technological research.
World Bank Enterprise Survey data shows that only 11% of firms in sub-Saharan Africa invest in internal research and development. Most companies focus on adopting existing technologies rather than generating new knowledge, thereby reducing the demand for PhD holders.
This trend reflects an economic structure that relies largely on imported solutions rather than locally driven innovation.
Additionally, limited public funding exacerbates the problem. UNESCO reports that most African countries allocate less than 1% of GDP to research and development, well below the global average and levels seen in industrialized economies.
This combination of factors restricts local career opportunities and pushes many PhD graduates towards international careers where employers make full use of their expertise. The World Economic Forum warns that this brain drain deprives the continent of critical skills needed for innovation and problem-solving.
When researchers lack opportunities to apply their knowledge, the socio-economic impact of research is limited. Areas such as public health, sustainable agriculture, energy and public policy can benefit from locally conducted research tailored to African realities.
Compare with Western economies
In major Western economies, a PhD generally provides access to stable and well-paid employment in academia, research or industry.
In the United States, National Science Foundation surveys show that approximately 86.6% of PhD holders in science, engineering, and health fields participate in the labor market, with more than half of them working in roles directly related to their expertise.
In Europe, OECD data shows that the employment rate among adults aged 25 to 64 with a doctoral degree has reached nearly 93%, indicating strong labor market integration.
In contrast, integration in Africa remains more difficult. A recent study in South Africa found that 18% of PhD holders surveyed worked in jobs unrelated to their field even after securing employment.
turning contradiction into opportunity
Policymakers are looking for ways to link doctoral training to economic development. The African Union's STISA 2024-2034 strategy calls for stronger integration of scientific research and innovation into development priorities, including closer collaboration between universities, research centers and industry.
The African Development Bank supports structured partnerships between universities, technology centers and businesses to stimulate practical innovation, adapt technologies to local contexts and create job opportunities for graduates.
At the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), African Development Bank Vice-President Nnanna Nwabufo said universities must become innovation hubs capable of attracting financing and investment.
UNESCO also emphasizes the importance of strengthening higher education systems and doctoral training quality. In a December 2024 analysis, the organization said higher education should support Africa's youth and help address development challenges, thereby increasing the impact of local research.
If current trends continue, brain drain may accelerate. The African Population and Health Research Center estimates that more than 10% of Africans with postgraduate degrees migrate to high-income countries each year in search of better working conditions, stronger research funding and more structured career opportunities.
The HAQAA initiative's 2023 report estimates that approximately 40,000 African PhD holders live outside the continent. The report warns that this trend deprives African countries of the essential expertise needed to strengthen universities, research institutions and industries, ultimately weakening their ability to generate locally relevant innovation.
This article was originally published in French by Félicien Houindou Locsou
Adapted into English by Ange JA de Berry Quenam