The Role of Indian Higher Education in Africa’s Knowledge Economy: A Critical Appraisal

Abstract

Africa’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy is gaining momentum, driven by demographic growth, expanding digital infrastructure, and a continental push for education-led development. However, challenges such as limited higher education capacity, skill mismatches, and uneven research output persist. In this evolving landscape, India has positioned itself as a key partner through its education diplomacy, offering scholarships, digital learning platforms, and institutional collaborations with African universities. This paper critically examines the scope and impact of India’s engagement in African higher education, particularly in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and management education. While India’s initiatives are anchored in principles of South–South cooperation and provide valuable support for capacity building, several gaps remain in terms of outreach, visibility, and long-term academic partnerships. A comparative lens reveals that countries like China and Brazil have leveraged more structured and high-profile strategies to consolidate their educational footprint in Africa. The analysis suggests that although India’s contributions are significant, they remain under-leveraged in realizing broader strategic and developmental outcomes. Strengthening institutional coordination, expanding scalable models, and enhancing post-study engagement will be critical for India to fully align its educational outreach with Africa’s knowledge economy aspirations.

Keywords: Knowledge Economy, India–Africa Relations, Education Diplomacy, Higher Education Cooperation, South–South Collaboration, STEM Education in Africa.