ABSTRACT
This essay summarizes the status of science centres and informal science initiatives in Africa and recommends ways to unleash their potential to support and expand science learning opportunities in formal education. The reality is that the vast majority of African people do not have access to science centres and their associated outreach activities. The essay presents science centres and outreach activities that exist in Tunisia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa. It traces the development of science communication on the continent, along with the development of exemplary educational programmes, such as STEM clubs, Africa Code Week, the EduConservation initiative, ScFest Africa, Science Busker's Festival, and gender equality programmes. The essay argues that Africa suffers from a serious lack of people who have the skills to develop and operate a critical mass of science centres and therefore needs international support, expertise, and experience to do so. Although the dream of a continent-wide African Renaissance has so far proven to be overly optimistic, Africa can be the ‘bright continent’ if it develops its human potential and natural resources to their full potential. Developing enough interactive science centres that can reach most of the people in Africa can play a major role in this African Renaissance.
