Africa hopes for a thriving future through science and innovation

The Forum's conclusions demonstrated how vital it is to fund science, technology, and innovation (STI) in order to reshape the continent. This is reported by Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in cooperation with the Commission of the African Union and additional partners, arranged the two-day meeting as a prelude to the African Regional Meeting on Sustainable Development. With a focus on ending poverty in Africa, the subject emphasised the role of STI in accomplishing the objectives of the 2063 Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The conversation focused on how STI may revolutionise African business, agriculture, and attempts to combat poverty. Belete Molla, Ethiopia's Minister of Technology and Innovation, emphasised that fostering innovation in vital industries like renewable energy, health, and agriculture is a means to boost employment, enhance quality of life, and lessen poverty.

Molla underlined that when it comes to helping other African countries strengthen their agricultural and food security, Ethiopia is setting the standard. Enhancing access to technology, crops, and fertilisers for farmers is one of the initiatives. Another is a roadmap for changing the nation's food chain.

Molla also mentioned that Ethiopia is acting, not only planning. The nation's science and technology policy were recently updated, placing greater focus on encouraging innovation and the application of new technologies. Furthermore, the "Digital Ethiopia 2025" National Digital Transformation Strategy has been put into practice.
Antonio Pedro, the ECA's Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support, emphasised how important STI is to enhancing the services provided to the underprivileged, keeping an eye on living circumstances, predicting emergencies, and directing the process of decision-making. He clarified that the forum's objectives were to advance collaboration, the sharing of technology, and political initiatives to hasten STIs' contribution to the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

ECA emphasised the STI Forum's expanding function as a forum for discussing STI opportunities and problems. As an illustration, consider the Alliance of Entrepreneurial Universities in Africa, which was founded in 2022 and has as its goal the creation of 100 million jobs and US$200 billion in income by 2033.

In order to advance peace and sustainable development, Lidia Arthur Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences, underlined the need for worldwide scientific cooperation. She emphasised the possibility of enabling youth to become not only the engine of the economy but also creative problem solvers for the environment. However, Brito noted that because many African technology institutes depend on outside financing, achieving stability of finances is a difficulty.

The European Union's ambassador to the African Union and the ECA, Javier Perez, reiterated the EU's pledge to use NTIs to promote Africa's development. To support the Agenda and the MDGs through 2063, it committed an expenditure of EUR 279 million (US$296,7) in research and innovation.

Africa's future can be shaped by the Sixth African Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation. African nations may construct a future that is more rich, just, and sustainable by utilising the potential presented by STIs and encouraging collaboration.

Photo: iStock