Excellence in science, technology and innovation for Africa 25 May 2021 - 09:40 Wim de Villiers Picture: 123RF/EVERYTHING POSSIBLE In light of Africa Day on May 25, and with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) coming up in July, now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at socioeconomic advancement on our continent. The world is in turmoil: politically, socially and economically. The Covid-19 pandemic has widened some of the cracks in society at large, and the African continent has certainly not been spared any of it. Though our continent has many challenges, we also have certain advantages in our favour. Let me mention just two. We have a habit of “leapfrogging” to the latest technologies and approaches to not only keep up with the rest of the world, but take the lead. And there is already a plenty of co-operation taking place on both the geopolitical level and within sectors that are crucial for development.