Henry Neondo, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — African leaders, scientists, and policymakers have called for a decisive shift from resource-dependent economies to innovation-driven development, as the 8th African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum convened at the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
The forum, a key continental platform aligned with the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034, emphasized the urgency of leveraging science, technology, and innovation to drive structural economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable development across Africa.
From Consumption to Creation
Opening the forum, Claver Gatete challenged African countries to move beyond being passive consumers of global technologies.
“Africa must decide whether it will continue adapting technologies shaped elsewhere or take a leading role in shaping them,” Gatete said, pointing to the continent’s limited contribution to global innovation and a 36 percent internet penetration rate in 2025.
He highlighted the rapid global technological shifts driven by artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, warning that Africa risks falling further behind without coordinated and deliberate action.
Five Strategic Priorities
To guide Africa’s STI agenda, the forum outlined five strategic priorities:
- Aligning STI with economic transformation
- Accelerating investment in digital public infrastructure
- Building future-ready skills at scale
- Deepening regional and continental coordination
- Securing reliable and sustainable energy
These pillars are expected to anchor policy, research, and investment decisions across member states, with institutions providing technical assistance, capacity building, and implementation support.
Lessons from the Continent
Success stories from countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda demonstrated how aligning innovation with national development priorities can deliver tangible economic gains.
Uganda, in particular, showcased practical models linking research to industrial production. Speaking at the forum, Monica Musanza highlighted initiatives such as an electric bus manufacturing facility and a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing plant.
“These investments show how science and technology can move from the lab to the market, creating jobs and transforming economies,” she said.
Musanza stressed that Africa must build “innovation-to-market pathways” and focus on commercialization if it is to unlock the full value of its scientific research.
Bridging Research and the Economy
Participants underscored the need to strengthen the link between research institutions and industry, noting that Africa’s challenge is not a lack of ideas but limited execution at scale.
The forum proposed the establishment of STI collaboration platforms to move beyond high-level discussions toward practical, knowledge-based partnerships. These platforms would enable countries to co-invest in scalable projects, such as Uganda’s Kiira Motors Corporation, rather than duplicating efforts.
A “coalition of the willing” was also proposed to bring together countries and institutions ready to jointly implement cross-border STI initiatives.
The Role of Policy and Investment
Representing UNESCO, Rita Bissoonauth emphasized that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063 will depend on sustained investment in STI.
She called for stronger policy alignment, institutional capacity, and human capital development, noting that Africa has less than five years to meet the 2030 SDG targets.
“Africa has immense potential, driven by its young population and growing digital ecosystem, but this must be matched with investment and coordination,” Bissoonauth said.
She also highlighted the importance of open science and increased engagement in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, ensuring that innovation remains inclusive and aligned with African priorities.
From Dialogue to Action
A recurring theme throughout the forum was the need to transition from dialogue to implementation. Leaders stressed that Africa’s development challenge lies not in strategy formulation but in execution.
Gatete urged stakeholders to move “from commitments to capabilities and from potential to production,” calling for robust monitoring frameworks to track progress and ensure accountability.
Looking Ahead
The forum concluded with a strong call for coordinated action among governments, regional bodies, research institutions, and the private sector. Upcoming regional consultations on artificial intelligence governance are expected to play a critical role in shaping Africa-specific norms and ensuring that emerging technologies reflect the continent’s development priorities.
As Africa navigates a rapidly evolving global technological landscape, participants agreed that the continent’s future will depend on its ability to harness science, technology, and innovation not just as tools for growth, but as drivers of transformation.
The message from Addis Ababa was clear: Africa must innovate, produce, and lead—or risk being left behind.