GERD = Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (It’s how much countries are spending on research and development)
Contribution to peer-reviewed scientific publications by various countries.
Development, progress, recognition: these do not come accident.
Conclusion:
Robust R&D spending is necessary in order to make any significant contribution to the 21st century world we live in.
(UNESCO Science Report 2010 & The Economist)
Though let me point out that there may be several other ways to count progress in in R&D besides scientific publications, but it does play a very important role. Also what is even considered as R&D varies from one society to another. In any case, African countries aren’t doing much.