African indigenous knowledge systems and the quest for scientifico-technological development: the neglected dimension

African countries, like other countries of the world, possess knowledge systems that are indigenous to them, which are believed by many to have the potential for development. Besides having a coordinated outlet for transferring such knowledge, some claim that Africa is the origin of knowledge or the foundational ideas that rule the world scientifically and technologically. This claim, however, seems to be contradicted by the manifest poor scientific and technological state of African countries. Unravelling the reason(s) for this disconnect, therefore, forms part of the broader aims of this study. In this study, we examine African indigenous knowledge systems in the light of the current scientific and technological development. It is found that, unlike their Western counterparts that operate an open system, African indigenous knowledge systems have some occultic accretions that restrict access to them and preclude their custodians from publicly teaching and demonstrating their underlying principles for the consumption of the public. Relying on the nature and structure of the Egyptian Mystery Temple reputed for being a symbol of knowledge and wisdom in Africa, we argue that owing to their lack of a trial-and-error mechanism that underpins scientific and technological knowledge and development, African indigenous knowledge systems stifle scientific and technological development rather than encourage it. © 2022 University of Nigeria, Institute of African Studies. All rights reserved.