• African countries have significantly increased PhD output, with tens of thousands of doctorates awarded across major economies.

• Only 11% of Sub-Saharan African firms invest in R&D, limiting demand for highly skilled researchers.

• More than 10% of postgraduate graduates emigrate annually, fueling brain drain.

Each year, thousands of Africans devote several years to advanced research to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These programs require candidates to produce 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 granted around 12,000 PhDs through 2019, reflecting steady growth in doctoral training.

In West Africa, doctoral education has expanded rapidly over the past decade as higher education systems have scaled up 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 graduate hundreds of PhDs each year, compared with marginal volumes in the early 2000s.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, produces several thousand PhD holders annually through a network of more than 309 universities, according to recent official data.

At the continental level, African Centers of Excellence (ACE), supported by the World Bank, have 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 down research ambitions.

A Beninese PhD holder interviewed by Ecofin Agency said: “No, not at all, because a large share of PhDs trained here pursue successful careers abroad.” He added that the core issue lies in the lack of local opportunities capable of valuing advanced skills.

Labor markets remain underdeveloped, and the private sector contributes weakly to scientific and technological research.

World Bank Enterprise Surveys data show 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, which reduces demand for PhD holders.

This trend reflects an economic structure that depends largely on imported solutions rather than locally driven innovation.

At the same time, limited public funding compounds the problem. UNESCO reports that most African countries allocate less than 1% of GDP to research and development, far below global averages and levels seen in industrialized economies.

This combination of factors restricts local career opportunities and pushes many PhD graduates toward international careers where employers fully utilize 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 remains limited. Sectors such as public health, sustainable agriculture, energy, and public policy could benefit from locally driven research tailored to African realities.

Contrast with Western economies

In major Western economies, a PhD typically provides access to stable and well-paid employment in academia, research, or industry.

In the United States, National Science Foundation surveys show that about 86.6% of PhD holders in science, engineering, and health fields participate in the labor market, with more than half working in roles directly related to their specialization.

In Europe, OECD data show that employment rates among adults aged 25 to 64 with doctoral degrees reach around 93%, indicating strong labor market integration.

In Africa, by contrast, integration remains more difficult. A recent study in South Africa found that 18% of surveyed PhD holders work in jobs unrelated to their field, even after securing employment.

Turning the paradox into opportunity

Policymakers are exploring ways to align doctoral training with 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 among universities, technology hubs, and businesses to stimulate applied 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 Nnenna 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 stated that higher education must support Africa’s youth and help address development challenges, thereby increasing the impact of local research.

If current trends persist, brain drain could intensify. The African Population and Health Research Center estimates that more than 10% of Africans with postgraduate degrees emigrate each year to high-income countries in search of better working conditions, stronger research funding, and more structured career opportunities.

A 2023 report by the HAQAA initiative estimates that around 40,000 African PhD holders live outside the continent. The report warns that this trend deprives African countries of essential expertise needed to strengthen universities, research institutes, and industries, ultimately weakening their capacity to generate locally relevant innovation.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum