An African economic boom is possible by investing in science and technology.

The African continent represents 20 percent of the earth’s surface and is home to 1.3 billion people — likely reaching 2.53 billion people by 2050. It boasts 60 percent of the world’s arable lands, large swathes of forests, 30 percent of the world’s reserve of minerals, and the youngest population of any continent. Yet, despite these riches,…