Nanotechnology is the design and manufacturing of materials designed to be controlled at the nanometer level. The essence of nanotechnology is therefore size and control at the nanoscale, which is incredibly small. The width of a human hair is 60,000-80,000 nanometers and a human nail grows at about 10 nanometers per minute. Nanotechnologists work with materials between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. Nanotechnology is an emerging science that promises enormous growth for development in Africa in the fields of sanitation, medicine, solar energy, food technology and agriculture. Nanotechnology is rightly considered to be in a nascent stage; it was first used in 1974 by the late Norio Taniguichi [1] (University of Tokyo). It is made up of atoms and molecules used in different ways. The disciplines of physics, chemistry and biology have long been concerned with atoms, molecules and their behavior. Quantum mechanics is firmly established as the science of the absolutely small. Only since 1981 have nanotechnologists been able to measure the size of a cluster of atoms on a surface (IBM, Zurich). Since then, nanotechnologists have begun to provide better models of self-organization and self-assembly in chemistry and biology. Ten years later, in 1991, nanotechnologists were able to move atoms on surfaces (IBM, Almaden)[2]. In 2002, nanotechnologists assembled molecules by physically positioning the atoms that compose them. However, nanotechnologists cannot visualize or model with the required spatial and temporal precision for engineering or biological relevance at the nanoscale, but the nanoscale phenomenon promises fundamental new applications. Possible applications include chemical manufacturing using desi...... half of paper ......1) pp. 3–5. Available http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/nano/nni_past_present_future_update_tables.pdf February 20, 2006.3. M. C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge (2001). Social implications of nanotechnology. Boston, MA: Springer, pp. 468.4. C. Amalu. (2011). “Water purification using nanotechnology: how efficient is it?” Internet: http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/8731/2011/11/22/nanotechnology_water_purification_how_efficient.html. November 22, 2011.5. J. J. Ramsden (2005). “Perceptions of Nanotechnology.” What is nanotechnology? [Online] Available http://pages.unibas.ch/colbas/ntp/N03RA05.pdf 31 March 2005.6. E. Ortlip (2009). “Nanotechnology makes solar energy more accessible.” Internet: http://scienceline.org/2009/01/blog-ortlip-solar-energy-light-renewable/ January 1, 2009.7. A. Shefer. "The application of nanotechnology in the food industry." US patent 6,565, 375.