6 days ago
Answering African questions: Why local research is the continent's next frontier
The rising demand for robust African research presents anyone considering a doctoral degree with an extraordinary opportunity to be part of something truly transformative.
Imagine trying to solve a puzzle with pieces from a different box. That's often the case when research from other continents is simply parachuted into Africa to address local challenges, whether in health, education or business.
And this happens far too often. While Africa's youthful population accounts for close to 20% of the global population, less than 1% of global research output is from this continent.
'This is an extraordinary statistic,' comments Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean of Henley Business School Africa and Associate Pro Dean at the University of Reading. 'But more than that, it's a profound challenge to those of us working in academia to build robust, relevant research capabilities with far-reaching implications for development, policy, and economic growth.'
He adds that for those contemplating doctoral studies, this landscape presents an opportunity to be part of something truly transformative.
Moving from dependency to partnership
Why does local research matter so profoundly in an African context? For one thing, localised research ensures that solutions are genuinely contextual, relevant, and effective, says Professor Danie Petzer, Pro Dean of Research and Doctoral at Henley Business School Africa.
'Whether it's in public health, economic development, or business strategy, understanding the nuances of local realities, priorities, and perspectives can be transformational. When Africa generates its own data and ideas, interventions are far more likely to resonate with and directly benefit its diverse communities.
'This is about building a foundation of knowledge that genuinely serves the continent's unique needs,' he says.
Take the work of Phano Ramoeketsi, for example. She is embarking on a PhD at Henley Business School, having won a scholarship for her work to uplift African women and girls. Herself a social entrepreneur who has grappled with the challenges of starting and running a business in Africa, her research will focus on dismantling the barriers that African women entrepreneurs face in the international business arena.
DBA student Hugo Ndudzo meanwhile is exploring the development of organisational leadership capacity based on action research in manufacturing plants in South Africa and Zambia and Carol Maluleke is exploring reputation management in the context of non-profit organisations in Africa.
'A thriving African academic base directly elevates African perspectives like these,' comments Prof Petzer. 'When African research institutions foster leadership that can advocate for continental needs, challenge stereotypes, and inform international partners from a position of expertise and credibility, it fundamentally shifts the global narrative from one of dependency to one of partnership.'
Advancing indigenous knowledge and promoting ownership
Prof Petzer adds that another key benefit of localised research is that it can directly support the protection, documentation, and advancement of indigenous knowledge systems.
'Africa is a tapestry of rich cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge systems, vital for innovation and sustainable development. Investment in African academic growth, by acknowledging the worth of local epistemologies, Africa resists the marginalisation of its intellectual heritage and ensures its integration into modern development solutions, fostering a uniquely African approach to progress,' he says.
Locally-led research ultimately promotes a profound sense of ownership. Solutions developed within Africa have significantly higher adoption rates, are more sustainable, and can adapt to emerging challenges quickly. 'African institutions need to support evidence-based policies that measurably improve lives – transforming academic advancements into tangible social and economic benefits that can make a difference,' says Prof Petzer.
Andy Innes, musician, businessman and a DBA student at the University of Stellenbosch, is aiming to do just that. His work explores the nexus of culture and the psychological contract in postcolonial and polyculture societies, a complicated-sounding topic that boils down to helping people from different cultures understand each other and communicate better.
'I think our biggest problem in this country is social sustainability. And I think the key to unlocking that problem sits in the space of how people communicate and how they relate to one another,' he says. 'Right now, there is a chasm between people that hasn't really been examined in depth yet. We've looked at race a lot, but to my mind, race doesn't really tell you anything about anyone. It doesn't tell you anything about their culture or the myriad things that make them.'
'Society is not split so much across racial lines as across sub-cultural lines and people in separated or marginalised sub-cultures simply don't have access. They're pretty much excluded from everything that involves socio-economic advancement, which is, obviously, a problem.
'We've got to find ways of addressing this issue, and this starts by defining exactly what it is and how it works.'
Sustainable economic growth starts with relevant knowledge creation
Ultimately, a robust research and innovation ecosystem acts as a powerful engine for economic development. It fosters entrepreneurship, builds capacity for future industries, and strengthens the crucial ties between academia, business, and government.
But growing that 1% of research contribution is no easy matter. Prof Petzer says that the journey to building this vital research capacity faces significant challenges, particularly in funding, infrastructure, and human capital. Institutions like Henley Business School Africa are actively working to address these gaps, fostering an environment where local research thrives.
Henley's approach to encouraging local research is unique, especially as a private higher education institution. The model looks beyond the traditional academic and provides a flexible research support system to enable a wider net of consultants and practitioners in the production of thought leadership and research. Most recently, the school h as launched its DBA programme in Africa to ensure that more local students can sign up for this prestigious international degree while pursuing distinctly local research.
'The move is in response to the growing demand from our MBA graduates who are eager to continue studying with us. By leveraging technological advancement and local expertise, we are able to provide a pathway for doctoral studies through an internationally reputable business school right here in South Africa,' says Prof Petzer.
'We are really excited to be able to offer aspiring DBA candidates in business studies the opportunity to contribute to this vital African research landscape. It's about more than just earning a degree; it's about actively shaping the future of a continent through relevant, impactful knowledge creation.' DM
