Head of the UNESCO Ghana Office, Edmond Moukala, has delivered a powerful message to young African engineers, urging them to take ownership of the continent’s technological and engineering future.
Speaking at the Engineering in Africa Conference (EiAC 2026) held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Moukala told participants that Africa’s engineering future must be developed from within rather than relying heavily on solutions imported from outside the continent.
“The future of African engineering will not be imported; it will be built here, by you, in institutions like this one.”
His message placed the spotlight on the importance of investing in African engineers, educational institutions, research and locally developed solutions.
The Engineering in Africa Conference, organised by the National Society of Black Engineers Ghana (NSBE Ghana) in collaboration with UPSA, brought together engineers, academics, industry professionals, policymakers and students to discuss Africa’s development through engineering and innovation.
The 2026 conference was held from September 10 to 12 at the UPSA Ohene Konadu Auditorium in Accra under the theme “Engineering Africa’s Future: Innovation, Infrastructure and Impact.”
Discussions focused on engineering education, infrastructure, technology transfer, innovation, industrialisation and the development of solutions that respond to Africa’s specific challenges.
Moukala’s remarks also formed part of a wider conversation about Africa’s ability to develop and retain its technical talent. NSBE Ghana had described his keynote as focusing on “Engineering the African Brain Trust”, with emphasis on building African technical capacity and supporting long-term industrial development.
The conference also challenged young people to move beyond simply acquiring qualifications and begin applying their knowledge to real problems within their communities.
UPSA Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, during the conference, encouraged students to start solving problems before graduation and highlighted the importance of partnerships, mentorship and implementation in turning ideas into practical solutions.
Other speakers at the conference also pushed the conversation around African ownership of technology.
Edmond Kombat, Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery, called for Africa to shift from consuming technology to creating and owning it, while discussions throughout the conference examined infrastructure, innovation and industrial development.
The conference ultimately ended with renewed calls for African-led innovation, stronger institutions and practical engineering solutions capable of addressing the continent’s development challenges.
Moukala’s message therefore went beyond engineering alone. It was a call for African institutions and young professionals to believe in their capacity to design, build and sustain solutions for Africa’s future.
