Royal Academy of Engineering Interventions

The perennial shortage and mismatch of engineering skills in Sub-Saharan Africa, between those produced by tertiary institutions and those that industry require, were revealed through several studies carried out by the Africa-UK Partnership for Development as well as the Engineers Against Poverty, over the years. Several reasons have been attributed to these challenges; suffice to say, they have contributed to the stalling of the development agenda in industrialising countries. Development partners, particularly from Europe, have come to the assistance but the support fell short of the requirements, particularly in the absence of sustainability plans. The Royal Academy of Engineering responded to this challenge by supporting projects with demonstrable attributes for continuity and sustainability, one of which was to establish strong links between tertiary institutions and local industries. This chapter outlines the journey through which these challenges were resolved, with the support of the Royal Academy of Engineering, as a build-up to Doctoral Training Centres in conjunction with industry for the provision of appropriate skills to drive industry.