China–Africa S&T Relationship: Selected Cases of Learning and Technology Transfer

Abstract There is a need to undertake comprehensive, analytical, reflective, descriptive, and critical research on the China–Africa relationship in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) by including spheres in agriculture, manufacturing and services. The fourth industrial revolution is changing the STI collaboration and competition globally. How digital STI is impacting on the China–Africa relations need to be explored and examined. STI has played a major role by applying technology transfer in industry, agriculture, economy, social, infrastructure, trading, and education spheres. Technology transfer in the history of China–Africa relations has not been systematically researched. The information is spread with the views that are not backed with suitable empirical evidence. Technology transfer from industry, government, universities, and programs on China–Africa exchanges is to be done with full evidence and not opinions with negative messages that continue to spread. The evidence-based technology transfer research must be used to generate policy learning both to China and Africa to develop mutually beneficial relationship that can serve as a model for the rest of the world. This paper provides an overview of the technology transfer question in China–Africa relations with examples of technology transfers by China to different actors in Africa with recommendation to undertake further research.