Challenges of Ethiopian Researchers and Potential Mitigation with Ethiopian Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

Most of the developed countries attain high-tech industry and economy by investing substantial amount of resources and by having a strong policy on research. The Government of Ethiopia established the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP I) by as a strategic framework focusing on the agricultural sector from 2011 to 2015 with target growth value of 8.1%. In the second term of GTP II has given high priority for industrial development. To achieve the GTP II and to sustain the development mainly for future, research and development is a pillar for economic development and to innovate the nation.

However, in Ethiopia the activity in research is moving at a slow pace and is facing many challenges. The objective of this study is to identify the challenges of Ethiopian researchers, to carry out research into their institutions and/or universities from the perspective of the researchers and government strategies to support the GTP and realise the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy published in 2012.

The challenges which are faced by the researchers have been investigated using primary data collected by structured questions from 200 researchers across Ethiopian universities and research institutes. The research identified and quantified the major challenges in human resources development, availability of research facilities, communication of research output, government strategies for research and the motivation for the research.

Furthermore, the paper analysed the identified challenges with respect to Ethiopia Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (ESTIP) which published in 2012. The paper has also reviewed the correlation between the identified challenges, GTP I and ESTIP.