Africa is on the path to a prosperous, just, and sustainable future by investing in science, technology, and innovation. African leaders, representatives, and experts gathered at the Sixth African Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to emphasize the critical role of these sectors in transforming the continent’s agriculture, industry, and poverty alleviation efforts.
Minister of Technology and Innovation in Ethiopia, Belete Molla, highlighted the importance of innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, clean energy, and healthcare, which can create jobs, improve livelihoods, and lift millions out of poverty. Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing its agricultural sector and ensuring food security serves as a model for other African nations to emulate. The country has implemented various initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, achieving self-sufficiency, and addressing climate change challenges.
Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), underscored the need for investing in human capital development, research and development (R&D), and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and genomics. He emphasized the vital role of science and technology in enhancing service delivery, monitoring living conditions, and informing decision-making processes, especially during crises.
The STI Forum serves as a platform for fostering collaboration, technology diffusion, and policy efforts to accelerate the contribution of science, technology, and innovation towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Recognizing the importance of international collaboration, Lidia Arthur Brito from UNESCO highlighted the potential of science and innovation to empower African youth in driving economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability. She stressed the need for financial sustainability in African tech hubs to reduce reliance on external funding sources.
Javier Pérez, Ambassador of the European Union to the African Union and ECA, reiterated the European Union’s commitment to investing in research and innovation in Africa to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063. By empowering young people and women to become tech entrepreneurs and innovators, transformative change can be catalyzed in African societies.
The African Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum play a crucial role in advancing the agenda of science, technology, and innovation on the continent. The promotion of innovation and technological advancement is key to building a prosperous, just, and sustainable future for Africa.
