Speaking at a conference in Budapest, he said Africa should set up regional centres of excellence to help budding scientists.

He said lack of political will was a major hindrance to the development of scientific research in Africa, and encouraged African governments to seize the initiative to promote science on the continent.

Dr Diarra, who works for Nasa on its Mars exploration programme, is arguably the most internationally prominent living scientist Africa has produced.

But his renown has come largely through his work in the United States.

Brain drain

Dr Diarra told the Budapest conference that centres of excellence could help stop African scientists being lured away by the better research facilities available abroad.

He said the African continent was endowed with resources, which needed to be pooled for regional use.

Plans for university

Last year Dr Diarra was appointed as the Unesco Goodwill Ambassador to Africa - the first African and the first scientist to hold that post.

Part of his brief in his role as ambassador is to work towards the establishment of a university in Africa with a strong science curriculum.

His job also involves "efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of science and mathematics to global peace and technological advancement," according to Nasa.

Dr Diarra's plans include an international conference later this year in Libreville, which will focus on information and communication technologies.

It will look at the use of space science and space technology to monitor the environment and management of resources.