Exploring ‘brain circulation’ as a concept to mitigate brain drain in Africa and improve EU–Africa cooperation in the field of science and technology

Abstract

This article reviews the growing literature on national and regional strategies in Africa for ‘brain circulation’ and technological advancement tools, based on research networking and EU–Africa collaborative initiatives. Drawing upon the findings of several studies, the article identifies key fundamental elements shaping the framework for the circulation of expertise within the continent, including a favourable ecosystem. The article finds that this framework is constructed on principal themes where brain circulation could play a central and pivotal role in achieving accelerated socioeconomic and technological impact, especially within EU–Africa scientific collaboration. The discussion proposes a set of elements to bring out this potential in EU–Africa scientific collaboration through the accumulated expertise of African experts in the diaspora and concludes with proposals for further conceptual and empirical research. Overall, the outcomes of this review highlight several approaches to further strengthen EU– Africa scientific collaboration while utilising the untapped potential of the African diaspora.