Public policy and technological change in Africa: Aspects of institutions and management capacity

This paper explores the notion of “capacity building” from the standpoint of the technological expertise needed for sustainable development policy analysis and execution. It argues that this definition is probably at the root of the concept since it captures the fundamental creativity of an economic system while at the same time mapping on other definitions of “capacity”. After defining it more completely in terms of “technological capability” the paper couches its analysis in the more general context of knowledge, its pursuit, validation, dissemination and use. In turn this suggests that conventional institutional structures, such as those normally associated with tertiary education, are probably ill suited on their own to play the necessary transformational role needed by many African countries. This is especially so in the complex field of environmental policy. The paper ends by making a number of suggestions on alternative modes illustrated by a programme currently in operation in East and Southern Africa.