Political Capital as the Hallmark of Engineering Education in Africa

Abstract

When a political actor or a government delivers on its promises, whether on provision of infrastructure or favourable policies, it automatically earns political capital as a reward and as a bargaining chip for future purposes. This study explores the intricacies of political capital and its impacton engineering education in Africa. It examines political leverage as a key indicator of a functioning education system and the effect of engineering education on politics in turn. Political capital enables political players use their connections to secure compliance especially in terms of advocating for and pushing forward policies that ensure growth in engineering education, which is an essential part of overhauling and restructuring the African economy. The study also suggests yet-to-be-explored routes that could further advance engineering education in Africa.