This article focuses on the current trends and initiatives in human capacity building in Africa. It takes as it
starting point that human capacity development is essential for Africa to become an information and knowledge
society and therefore an equal partner in the global sharing of knowledge. Four knowledge areas are
identified and discussed. These are education, research and development, brain drain and information and
documentation drain. The paper concludes that there is a clear understanding in Africa that its future lies with
education and that most African leaders have a strong political will to invest in human capacity building on
the continent. It is also clear that much has been done, particularly primary education. Africa will most definitely
benefit from this in the long run. Problem areas remain however. These are in the needed growth of
research and development and how to address the brain and information drain phenomena.