Nanotechnology in a

Developing Country –
Applications and
Challenges

Prof. Babajide Alo, Ph.D

University of Lagos, Nigeria
ƒ 1.0 INTRODUCTION
ƒ 2.0 NANO TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPING NATIONS
ƒ 2.1 The Questions on the Potential Nature of Developing Country
Engagement with Nanotechnology
ƒ 2.2 Potential Benefits of Nanotechnology to Developing Countries
ƒ 2.3 Does Nanotechnology have Relevance for Developing
Countries’ Agenda?
ƒ 3.0 STATUS of NANOTECH IN DEVELOPING NATIONS
ƒ 4.0 CHALLENGES OF NANOTECH IN DEVELOPING NATIONS

ƒ 5.0 ADDRESSING LDCs CHALLENGES

ƒ 5.1 Global Fund
ƒ 5.2 Partnerships for Countries in the Bottom Third of the HDI
Rankings

ƒ 6.0 CONCLUSIONS
INTRODUCTION

¾ Nanotechnology can be harnessed to address some of the

world's most critical development problems

¾ However, to our knowledge, there has been no systematic

prioritization of applications of nanotechnology targeted
toward those challenges faced by the 5 billion people living
in the developing world

¾ Although, it could give developing nations new ways to

diagnose and treat diseases and make clean water more
available

¾ Nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, as with

any new technology, may bring many advances to society
and benefits for the environment, but could also pose new
challenges in health, environment, safety and extensive
impacts on a rural society
™ "Nanotechnology has the potential to generate
enormous health benefits for the more than 5
billion people living in the developing world”
P.Singer (2005)

™ As example, in the area of tuberculosis and rural

health, nanotechnology has the potential to
empower a local response to challenges such as
the diagnosis and treatment of such infectious
disease

™ Like many past technologies, nanotechnology

could be both relevant and appropriate to
sustainable development practices in developing
countries
Issues
ƒ However, there is also a danger in viewing
nanotechnology as a ‘solution’ to developing country
challenges

ƒ In some cases its application may undermine local

alternatives and more appropriate approaches to dealing
with the problems at hand

ƒ As it is currently placed, nanotechnology is in danger of

replicating the inequitable trends as seen in developments
in biotechnology with respect to the limited developing
countries participation in dialogue
ƒ As at now, global participation in the development of
nanotechnology policy and directions appears limited to the
U.S. and European-led efforts

ƒ With increasing market-based barriers and limited developing

country participation on a number of levels, early signs are
that nanotechnology will promote a greater global
technological divide

ƒ Yet some developing countries could play a significant role in

the global development of nanotechnology

ƒ Hence, we suggest as a universal requirement, increased

empowerment of developing nations to participate in the on-
going nanotechnology development and evaluation processes
to ensure a full global contextualisation of nanotechnology
 2.0 NANO TECHNOLOGY AND
DEVELOPING NATIONS
ƒ For the majority of developing countries, commodity production is
the backbone of the economy. Historically, advances in science and
technology have also had profound impacts on commodity
production and trade

ƒ There are concerns that nanotechnology will change the

commodity markets, disrupt trade and eliminate jobs

ƒ While the developed world are seeking innovations and intellectual

property on novel nanomaterials, devices and manufacturing
processes, commodity dependent developing countries are
engaged in trying to gain a fuller understanding of the direction
and impacts of nanotechnology-induced technological
transformations, and also determining how emerging technologies
could affect their futures

ƒ Some developing countries are struggling with the issues while

some are already harnessing nanotechnology to address some of
their most pressing needs
 2.1 The Questions on the Potential
Nature of Developing Country
Engagement with Nanotechnology
ƒ The basic question is “Will nanotechnology, as Daar
suggests, be “a profitable industry for countries in the
South”? Or will it “exploit the South” and threaten
developing country markets in primary production areas
such as agricultural produce and minerals?

ƒ Will developing countries play the role of the

‘manufacturing-base’ for nanotechnology innovation, inline
with the suggestion of Whittingham and Bateman’s 2003
“cost-benefit analysis of moving nanotechnology R&D and
manufacturing to Eastern European and developing
countries” or are we going to be only receivers of the waste
as we have seen in the computers and electronic waste
trade?
2.2 Potential Benefits of Nanotechnology
to Developing Countries

ƒ Some ten applications of nanotech which indeed could contribute

or assist developing nations to achieve the UN MDGs have been
identified (Re: ETC Group Report, 2005)

ƒ The list of nanotech applications that are most likely to benefit

the developing world in the near future are broadly related to
ƒ energy storage, production and conversion;
ƒ enhancement of agricultural productivity;
ƒ water treatment and remediation; and
ƒ the diagnosis and treatment of disease

ƒ According to Piotr Grodzinski "Nanotechnologies could

revolutionize health care in developing countries,” “and make
treatments more readily available for diseases that claim millions
of lives around the world each year"
‰ Nanomaterials and nanomedical devices will play
increasingly critical and beneficial roles in safer drug
delivery and improving the way developing nations
diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious and
non-infectious diseases

‰ Nanotechnology can empower local healthcare auxiliaries,

in rural settings worldwide, to address diagnostic and
therapeutic concerns by reducing reliance on trained
specialists or technical assistance

‰ The challenge will however be the complexity and cost of

making such treatments available to a rural populace.
Hence the distribution of nanotechnology innovations
might be more gradual in some developing countries than
others

‰ Concern therefore is, will this be similar to the many

promises of past technological revolutions that were
challenged by the realities of global development and
domestic technology distribution?
 2.3 Does Nanotechnology have
Relevance for Developing Country
Agenda?
ƒ Given the ‘capital intensive, high-tech, science
fiction’ branding it has received from much of the
developed world media; nanotechnology would
appear highly incongruous with rural economies
development agenda
ƒ Many believe the promotion and debate about
nanotechnology in developing countries threatens
to divert and detract resources, political will and
attention from the needs of the poor and could
inhibit research necessary to “address society’s
problems in a systemic manner”.
ƒ In addition to nanotechnology possibly promoting
a ‘technical fix’ approach, there is a concern that
high entry prices for new procedures and skills
are “very likely to exacerbate existing divisions
between rich and poor.
 3.0 STATUS of NANOTECH IN
DEVELOPING NATIONS

ƒ Several developing countries have launched

nanotechnology initiatives in order to strengthen
their capacity and sustain economic growth

ƒ These nations are directing their nanotechnology

innovation systems to address their more pressing
needs.

ƒ Countries like Brazil, India, China, South Korea, South

Africa and Thailand have significant nanotechnology
research initiatives and had established national
activities that are being directed toward the
particular needs of the poor
ƒ India's Department of Science and Technology
had invested $20 million over five years (2004–
2009) for their Nanomaterials Science and
Technology Initiatives

ƒ The number of nanotechnology patent

applications from China ranks third in the world
behind the United States and Japan.

ƒ In Brazil, the projected budget for nanoscience

during the 2004–2007 period was about $25
million, and three institutes, four networks, and
approximately 300 scientists are working in
nanotechnology
• The South African Nanotechnology Initiative is a
national network of academic researchers involved
in areas such as nanophase catalysts, nanofiltration,
nanowires, nanotubes, and quantum dots

• In Belarus, the promotion of the use of new

technologies including nanotechnologies is a priority,
especially in the area of medicine

ƒ Nigeria, Thailand, The Philippines, South Africa,

Brazil and Chile have some form of government
support and national funding programs are being
developed; whilst Mexico and Argentina had some
form of organised nanotechnology activity but no
specific government funding yet
ƒ On the other hand the growing number of publications
indicating a potential negative impact of some nanoparticles
on human health and the environment is raising public
concern because of the free trade of nanoproducts.
ƒ There is an urgent need to facilitate scientific research on
advantages and disadvantages of nano-materials,
technologies and products use.
• But currently the evaluation of the risks for human health and
the environment from the use of nanotechnologies,
nanomaterials and nanoproducts and the associated need to
consider preventive measures is not a priority of decision-
makers.
ƒ The assessment of risk should be carried out at both the
national and international levels.
ƒ Sharing the information and experiences between countries
with different levels of economic development is a high
priority.
ƒ There should be wide dissemination of information that will
support the promotion of the use of new technologies for
sustainable development and also support the protection of
human health and the environment.
ƒ New products that can impact negatively human
health and environment are being mandated to
include safety information or to be tested to get
permission to be sold in the domestic market.

ƒ There are similar rules covering workers' health

protection in case of the implementation of new
technologies.

ƒ Work has been initiated to establish a procedure

for the registration of nanomaterials and
nanoproducts based on an analysis of existing
information.
4.0 CHALLENGES OF NANOTECH IN
DEVELOPING NATIONS

ƒ Economies mostly without a strong science base.

Competitiveness and agility in nanotechnology
development demand sustained broad scientific
base

ƒ Lack of a strong industry base

ƒ Lack of ability to translate R&D investments into

economic outcomes as industry is dominated by
multinationals; therefore R&D adoption decisions
taken outside the country

ƒ Resources for participation in front line science

lacking
ƒ High nanotech costs for acquisition of intellectual
property rights, nanotech infrastructure; lack of human
and policy capacity; trade barriers, the political instability
in LDCs constitute further barriers, although these are not
unique to nanotechnology

ƒ Low average incomes and low government spending on

R&D and even healthcare, in many LDCs worsens the
scenario for nanotechnology to even be considered in
less-developed countries

ƒ lack of a comprehensive standards infrastructure,

database or regulatory framework including protocols for
risk and life cycle assessment for nanotechnologies
globally scares less developed countries from wanting to
adopt the innovation

ƒ This challenge is further exacerbated by a lack of tools to

assure quality and evaluate and mitigate hazards and
risks
ƒ Technology communication challenges especially
-lack of educational materials in appropriate language
-Poor public awareness or involvement
-Misuse of terminology (false advertising etc)
-Inadequate linkages between actors in different LDCs
due to language barrier, differences in policies,
standards, etc

ƒ Lack of capability to deal with novel ethical, legal and social

implications whilst ensuring appropriate contextualisation

ƒ Hence, it is difficult to convince communities to have

confidence in the efficacy and safety of nanotechnology
products

ƒ Urgent demand for resources in manpower & infrastructure

for development far exceeds necessity for adoption of
‘esoteric’ innovations
ƒ Concerns that developed countries will benefit more from
nanotechnology and that developing countries will suffer
more from potential risks (e.g occupational health and safety
standards may be lower, waste management and waste
disposal infrastructure may not be adequate for
nanomaterials and nano-enabled products)

ƒ The germane question is “Which countries will manufacture

and which will become Nanotechnology importers?”

ƒ Hence the potential of nanotechnology widening the

development gap poses the greatest challenge.

ƒ Indeed does Nanotechnology have Relevance to Developing

Country Agenda?
 5.0 ADDRESSING LDCs
CHALLENGES

‰ All must be done to prevent the so-called “nano-divide”!

‰ 5.1 GLOBAL FUND

‰ To help the international community support the
application of nanotechnology to critical sustainable
development challenges in developing countries, including
health care, we recommend the typical initiative as
suggested by various researchers especially Peter Singer
et.al. who have proposed a GLOBAL FUND within an
initiative called “Addressing Global Challenges Using
Nanotechnology.”

‰ This initiative will be modelled after the NIH/Bill and

Melinda Gates Foundation for Grand Challenges in Global
Health in the LDCs; the initiative would be funded by
national and international foundations, and from
collaboration among nanotechnology initiatives in
industrialized and developing countries
‰ Such a fund will assist developing nations to easily have
access to these innovations through encouraging even
amongst national governments, open access to publicly
funded research results and materials as well as some
privately funded research results

‰ Such a fund will ensure that responsible development of

nanotechnology must include benefits for people in both
rich and poor nations and at relatively low cost

‰ This will require that careful attention will be paid to

possible risks nanotechnology poses for human health and
the environment in both rich and poor countries
5.1 Partnerships for Countries in the
Bottom Third of the HDI Rankings
9 No evidence to suggest any official R&D partnerships that
include countries in the bottom third of the HDI rankings
exist

9 Yet, with nanotechnology research underway in Thailand,

South Africa, Pakistan, etc and expressions of interest
from Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Swaziland, Ghana, Tanzania
and Afghanistan concerning an engagement with
nanotechnology, the opportunity exists for
nanotechnology partnerships to promote emerging
science in some of the less-developed countries

9 In Africa, where nanotechnology research “has so far

been largely academic and disparate”, regional
partnerships and pooling of resources, both virtual and
physical, may offer geographical and cultural advantages
over trans-continental partnerships and present the
operative strategy for African engagement in
nanotechnology R&D.
 6.0 CONCLUSIONS
• For us in the developing world, nanotechnology is still
mostly a science of the future!

• Due to the rapidly growing nature of nanotech, it is

important that both ‘north and ‘south’ engage in
discussions to identify, develop and address global policy
responses to promote responsible actions

• These can include health, safety, moral, ethical, societal,

legal and social utility concerns as it affects the world’s
poor and vulnerable groups.

• In view of the predicted great impact of nanotechnologies

on the global economy, ecology, research and society, and
of the expected impending wide-spread use of
nanomaterials, any possible risks should be URGENTLY
studied by comprehensive, proactive risk estimation and
assessment.
• Based on the new information and knowledge gained on
the associated safety and health risks of nanomaterials,
timely strategies targeted on providing guidance for safe
handling and use of nanomaterials in LDCs must be put in
place

• Immediate establishment of a Global Fund to assist

developing countries cope with the delineated challenges
of the innovation.

• The anticipated unequal access to nanotechnological

products between developed and developing countries
would be unfair and/or unjust, if LDCs are not assisted to
“catch-up” with these new technologies.
Thank you for your listening