Philip Emeagwali's Web Site

Broadcast and webcast on BBC Radio's "Network Africa" breakfast show on January 1, 2000. Emeagwali spoke by telephone from the United States. Below is a partial transcript from the entire 30 minute program.

TRANSCRIPT:

BBC Radio : What can technology do for Africa and what can Africans do for technology?

One man who should know better than most of us is one of the most respected computer scientist in the world. He is a Nigerian, Philip Emeagwali, who is based in the United States of America.

Philip Emeagwali: Technology is what creates wealth. And as Kwame Nkrumah said: " Socialism without science is void." So technology is the engine that creates economic wealth. And as we know Africa is the poorest continent. And in order to alleviate poverty we need to create wealth. So we need more scientists that will allow us to create wealth and develop Africa.

BBC Radio : Is there any particular technology that you will recommend to be appropriate for Africa's development needs?

Philip Emeagwali: Well it is interesting. Generally the widely held belief is that certain type of technologies are more appropriate for Africa.

For example, many people belief that solar, hydro and wind energy technologies will be appropriate for Africa. But we tend to forget that those technologies has been inefficient and don't work in the United States. And so if they didn't work in America and they will not work in Africa.

As a former civil engineer, I also know that hydroelectric dams and reservoirs and similar technologies have negative impacts on the environment and so will not work in Africa.

What I truly belief is that we should focus on high technology. The reason is that high technology creates higher wealth than low technology.

BBC Radio: Excuse me, when you say high technology what do you refer to as high technology that will be appropriate for Africa

Philip Emeagwali: Well, it includes many things for example. The computers, Internet and telecommunications.

But what I am trying to say is that if you are trying to create wealth you need to have a three-pronged approach in which you focus evenly on agriculture, industry and Information Age.

The reason is that everybody, the whole world is moving towards the Information Age and we don't want to be left behind.

BBC Radio: Just one final question: One of our listeners has predicted that an African will be the first person to land on the planet Mars. Do you think that is a strong possibility?

Philip Emeagwali: Yes, an African can be among the first crew of astronauts to land on the planet Mars.

I have applied to become an astronaut and NASA sent me a note last week informing me that my application will be reviewed in January. So even if I don't get selected as an astronaut, I expect an African to be selected in the future and to travel to the planet Mars by the middle of the 21st century.

BBC Radio: World renown Nigerian computer scientist, Philip Emeagwali, speaking from Baltimore in the United States of America.

Philip Emeagwali's Web Site