Published Paper Details:

Around the world, nanotechnology is being promoted as a technological revolution that will help resolve an array of problems. According to the current hype, nanotechnology promises to provide new ways of solving some of Africa's chronic challenges such as treating tuberculosis and malaria, making water drinkable, conserving food, and diversifying energy sources, among other hosts of applications. However, the potential risks and social implications of this new technology are not often discussed nor addressed. The overall level of awareness and capacity to address these issues remains very low, in both civil society and government, and prevents these actors from playing their social role in ensuring the public good. Research on nanotechnology, and increased commercialization of products containing engineered nanomaterials (generally called nano products), are currently happening in Africa (e.g., in South Africa, Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Algeria). In several African countries, nanotechnology has been declared a strategic sector of scientific and technological development. In addition, graduate courses on nanotechnology have been initiated in some countries, such as South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria. Even though potential health and environmental risks of engineered nano- materials are scientifically documented and numerous uncertainties remain, the public funds dedicated to evaluating these risks are extremely low. As a consequence, the current policy in regards to this technology is far from precautionary as the products enter the market unregulated and unlabeled, neither guaranteeing the safety of the product, nor the information to the consumer. The Present review paper highlighted sustainable development Socio economic transformation through Nano Science technology various issues and challenges at global level policy framework