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stisa-2024
Acknowledgement
On the Wings of Innovation, the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) was realised through
the valuable contributions of many individuals and organizations that invested both their time and resources in the process.
The Commission would, therefore, like to extend its profound gratitude and acknowledgement to all those who participated in
the development of STISA-2024 and all processes that led to its adoption by the Heads of State and Government in June 2014.
Special mention goes to a High Level Panel of eminent African and Diaspora scientists that was co-chaired by Prof. Calestous
Juma, of Harvard Kennedy School and Prof. Ismail Serageldin Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina . This panel presided over
the review of the Consolidated Plan of Action and the subsequent development of STISA-2024. The Panel was supported by
a Working Group that drew expertise from regional institutions namely, the NEPAD Agency, the African Academy of Sciences,
African Development Bank, International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa (ICSU-ROA), United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa and United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization.
We shall accumulate machinery and establish steel
works, iron foundries and factories; we shall link the
various states of our continent with communications;
we shall astound the world with our hydroelectric
power; we shall drain marshes and swamps, clear
infested areas, feed the undernourished, and rid
our people of parasites and disease. It is within
the possibility of science and technology to
make even the Sahara bloom into a vast field with
verdant vegetation for agricultural and industrial
developments.
6
List of Acronyms
AAS African Academy of Sciences ICSU-ROA International Council for
Science - Regional Office for Africa
AAU Association of African Universities
IPR Intellectual Property Right
AfDB African Development Bank
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
AIDA Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa
NEPAD New Partnership for Africas Development
AMCOST African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology
NEPAD Agency NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency
AOSTI African Observatory of Science
Technology and Innovation NSTIH NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub
ASTII African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators OAPI Organisation Africaine de la Propriete Intellectuelle
ASRIC African Scientific, Research and Innovation Council PAIPO Pan African Intellectual Property Organization
AUC African Union Commission PIDA Programme for Infrastructure Development for Africa
ALC African Laser Centre PMPA Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa
ARIPO African Regional Intellectual Property Organization R&D Research and Development
CPA AU Africas Science and Technology STI Science, Technology and Innovation
Consolidated Plan of Action
STISA Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa
EU European Union
TVET Technical Vocational Education and Training
FARA Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
UN United Nations
GDP Gross Domestic Product
UNECA United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
HEI Higher Education Institute
UNESCO United Nations Educational,
ICT Information and Communication Technologies Scientific and Cultural Organization
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Foreword
9
Executive Summary
On the Wings of Innovation, the AU Science, Technology at three levels. At national level, Member States
and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024) should incorporate this strategy into their National
places science, technology and innovation at the Development Plans. At regional level, Regional Economic
epicentre of Africas socio-economic development and Communities (RECs), regional research institutions,
growth. networks and partners should leverage the strategy in
designing and coordinating initiatives. At continental
The STISA-2024 has been developed during an important level, the African Union Commission (AUC), NEPAD
period when the African Union was formulating a Agency and their partners should advocate and create
broader and long-term AU Agenda 2063. The STISA-2024 awareness, mobilize necessary institutional, human
is the first of the ten-year incremental phasing strategies and financial resources, track progress and monitor
to respond to the demand for science, technology and implementation.
innovation to impact across critical sectors such as
agriculture, energy, environment, health, infrastructure Continental, regional and national targets and
development, mining, security and water among indicators will be defined to facilitate comparability of
others. The strategy is firmly anchored on six distinct data and regular Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of
priority areas that contribute to the achievement of the programmes. AOSTI, ASRIC and NEPAD Agency shall
the AU Vision. These priority areas are: Eradication of put in place a harmonised mechanism that will support
Hunger and Achieving Food Security; Prevention and Member States and RECs to collect standardised data
Control of Diseases; Communication (Physical and and report on performance periodically. The analysis of
Intellectual Mobility); Protection of our Space; Live data, annual reports and regular progress reviews will
Together- Build the Society; and Wealth Creation. constitute an important management tool of the entire
system.
The strategy further defines four mutually reinforcing
pillars which are prerequisite conditions for its success. While there are conventional mechanisms for funding
These pillars are: building and/or upgrading research Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation, it is
infrastructures; enhancing professional and technical essential to establish efficient, effective and coordinated
competencies; promoting entrepreneurship and financing mechanisms to implement the strategy. The
innovation; and providing an enabling environment AUC and NEPAD Agency shall mobilize and coordinate
for STI development in the African continent. resources for technical support in developing and
Continental, regional and national programmes will be implementing national and regional plans and priority
designed, implemented and synchronized to ensure programmes. AU Member States and RECs will take
that their strategic orientations and pillars are mutually a lead role in mobilizing public, private and donor
reinforcing, and achieve the envisaged developmental resources for the coordinated implementation of
impact as effectively as possible. national and regional programmes.
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Vision of the African Union and Mission of STI
The African Union is committed to achieve its vision of technology and innovation demands in various AU
An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, an Africa economic and social sector development frameworks.
driven and managed by its own citizens and representing STISA-2024 has a leading role to play in increasing
a dynamic force in the international arena through its efficiency (and eliminating duplication of effort) in the
Agenda 2063. design and implementation of national, regional and
African Union policies on STI.
The AU Agenda 2063 recognizes Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI) as multi-functional tools and an The Mission of STISA-2024 is to Accelerate Africas
enablers for achieving continental development goals. transition to an innovation-led, Knowledge-based
The Agenda, further, emphasizes that Africas sustained Economy. This will be achieved by:
growth, competitiveness and economic transformation
requires sustained investment in new technologies and Improving STI readiness in Africa in terms of
continuous innovation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, professional and technical competence,
clean energy, education and health. and entrepreneurial capacity; and
The STISA-2024 shall contribute to the achievement of Implementing specific policies and programs in
the AU Vision (Figure 1). Due to the cross cutting nature science, technology and innovation that address
of STI, STISA-2024 is designed to meet the knowledge, societal needs in a holistic and sustainable way.
Role
Improving STI status in Setting priorities
terms of human capital, and implementing
technical competence,
STI
flagship programs
infrastructure, supported by efficient
enabling environment, management to meet
innovation and the needs of the society
entrepreneurial mindset including education
Tool
MISSION of STISA-2024
Accelerate Africas transition to an innovation-
led, knwoledge based economy
Fig. 1: The role of STI in achieving the vision of the African Union
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Chapter 1
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Representatives Committee (PRC); The Specialized The African Union Commission (AUC) established
Technical Committees (STCs); The Economic, Social and a Conference of Ministers in charge of Science
Cultural Council; two financial institutions, namely the and Technology (AMCOST), to enable the Union to
Central Bank and the African Monetary Union and The periodically deliberate and have a collective voice
Commission of the AU. The creation of AU was also on science and technology issues. Following the first
associated with the adoption of the New Partnership Summit in Maputo, Mozambique in July 2003, the
for Africas Development (NEPAD) at the July 2001 Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) was presented in
Summit in Lusaka. It also identified and established 2005 as an instrument for the implementation of the
the Department of Human Resources Science and decisions of the African Union Assembly of Heads
Technology, as one of 8 technical departments of the of State and Government on STI and endorsed for
African Union Commission with the mandate to advance immediate implementation in 2006 at the Khartoum
education, science and technology, and human capital Summit of the African Heads of State.
development in the continent.
The CPA was approved to be implemented to address In its design, the CPA provided for a five year review to
the following clustered key flagship research and assess the implementation impact, strengthen linkages
development programmes: Cluster 1: Biodiversity, with other AU and NEPAD development frameworks,
Biotechnology and Indigenous Knowledge: Including and boost investment. The Bureau of the AMCOST
(i) Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity; (ii) IV resolved that the CPA review process should be
Safe Development and Application of Biotechnology; conducted under the oversight of a High Level Panel
and (iii) Securing and Using Africas Indigenous of eminent scientists with support of a Working Group
Knowledge Base; Cluster 2: Energy, Water and comprising representatives from the African Academy
Desertification: Including (i) Building a Sustainable of Sciences, African Union Commission, NEPAD Agency,
Energy Base; (ii) Securing and Sustaining Water; and African Development Bank, ICSU, UNECA and UNESCO.
(iii) Combating Drought and Desertification; Cluster
3: Material Sciences, Manufacturing, Laser and Post- Significant achievements in the implementation
Harvest Technologies: Including (i) Building Africas of the CPA were realized in the following areas: (a)
Capacity for Material Sciences; (ii) Building engineering establishment of Networks of Excellence; (b) African
capacity for Manufacturing; (iii) Strengthening the Union Competitive Research Grants; (c) capacity
African Laser Centre (ALC); and (iv) Technologies to development; and (d) improved policy conditions and
Reduce Post harvest Food Loss; Cluster 4: Information building innovation mechanisms. Challenges were also
and Communication Technologies: Including (i) encountered including (a) over-reliance on external
Information and Communication Technologies and (ii) financial support, which is often targeting short-term
Establishing the African Institute of Space Science; and activities and solutions, (b) limited scope of human and
(5) Cluster 5: Mathematical Sciences: including the Next sustainable development; (c) inadequate linkage of the
Einstein Initiative. CPA to other continental frameworks and strategies.
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The High Level Panel developed the African Union STI and other regional and international forums. The
Strategy as a successor of the CPA, taking into account achievements and lessons learnt from implementing
the findings of the CPA review (Figure 2) and current the CPA were the foundation on which the current
development trends on the continent. In drafting the strategy was built.
STISA-2024, one of the steps taken by the Working
Group was to incorporate wider perspectives from
consultations with the public, private, education
and research institutes, RECs, AMCOST, civil society
Consolidated
Plan of Action
The CPA was erected on three interrelated conceptual pillars namely STI capacity building,
knowledge production and technological innovation. These form part of the prerequisite conditions
for the successful implementation of STISA-2024.
The existing R&D Cluster Programs of the CPA have also been incorporated among the flagship
programs of the strategy. Building on the experiences of the CPA, STISA-2024 places STI at the
epicentre of Africas social and economic development within the long-term AU Agenda 2063.
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1.3 Situational Analysis
The implementation of the CPA influenced the role activities are not sustainable as they are over reliant on
that science, technology and innovation play in Africas short-term project funding often linked to events such
socio-economic development. These influences were as workshops and consultancies. Important aspects of
translated into policy instruments at various levels STI policy development such as establishing comparable
to achieve transformative and emancipatory goals baseline data and Monitoring and Evaluation(M&E) are
by means of building institutions and implementing not budgeted for (and thus not resourced) in most
programmes. Member States. By and large, this reflects the gap in
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d) Infrastructure to support innovation to support sustained economic growth, and inform
Readiness to support innovation and facilitate public attitudes and understanding of the relevance
competitive business activities requires infrastructure and importance of STI. While they contribute to STI
such as broadband Internet access, basic policy debate in areas including biosafety, climate
telecommunication services, reliable electricity supply, change, biodiversity and environment regulation and
water, good transportation networks, laboratory ICT, most contributions are not supported by evidence.
facilities, and tax systems that support private sector
g) Bilateral and multilateral cooperation
innovation. The AU Programme on Infrastructure
Development for Africa (PIDA) revealed different levels Bilateral and multilateral partnerships have shaped STI
of infrastructure readiness to support innovation in development in Africa (e.g. the European UnionAfrica
African economies. This is also reflected in Africas low Joint Strategy, the IndiaAfrica Science and Technology
scores in many major classifications or indices such as Initiatives and the China Africa Science and Technology
the worlds leading universities, competiveness index, Partnership). However, most of these interventions and
and so on. cooperation mechanisms are not adequately designed
to promote African ownership, accountability and
e) Inadequate Expertise on STI policy development sustainability.
Many of the officials involved in or responsible for
h) Scientific Output
drafting policy documents do not have the necessary
skills or training and have no experience in evidence- Africa is registering an increased number of scientific
based policy making. Moreover, in most countries, publications as well as acquisition of capital goods.
institutions responsible for STI policy do not have For example, Tunisia reported a ten-fold increase in
appropriate libraries or easy access to sources of the number of scientific publications between 1990
relevant information for policy-making purposes. Very and 2010 while Uganda achieved over 1,200% growth
limited evidence-based policy development takes place during the same period. About 18 African countries
in Africa. have achieved a fourfold increase in imports of capital
goods between 2000 and 2011. Steady investment
f) Emergence of African civil society organisations and in STI, expansion of R&D institutions and political
Think Tanks dedicated to raise awareness of STI support may account for this surge in both technology
Civil society organisations and Think-Tanks are acquisition and number of scientific papers published.
championing the use of African indigenous knowledge
1.4 Rationale
The STISA-2024 has been developed during an Innovation as one of the major drivers and enablers for
important period when the African Union was achieving development goals of the African Union and
simultaneously developing the AU Agenda 2063. its Member States. The Agenda articulates that Africas
Agenda 2063 recognizes Science, Technology and sustained growth, competitiveness and economic
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transformation will require sustained investment in address Africas challenges, with the ultimate goal
new technologies and continuous innovation in areas of contributing significantly to the AU vision (Figure
such as agriculture, clean energy, education, health 3). STISA-2024 responds to the demand for science,
and bio-sciences. The Agenda also highlights the need technology and innovation to impact on critical sectors
to curb the traditional Brain Drain and retain a critical including agriculture, energy, environment, health,
mass of high calibre individuals who excel in science, infrastructure, mining, security and water among
research and technology. others. Each of the anticipated five 10 year strategies
towards 2063 will represent a milestone, which will
The focus of the STISA-2024 is to address the aspirations be subject to evaluation to inform the next set of
identified under the Agenda 2063 and to link those milestones. The objectives of each subsequent 10 year
achievements realized under the CPA implementation strategy will reflect achievements to date and the needs
and current and future opportunities in recognising of the continent as they continue to evolve.
STI development in the African continent. STISA-2024
is a short term incremental strategy designed to
STISA-2024
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Chapter 2
Strategic Orientation
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Priority 1: Eradication of hunger and achieving food technologies (particularly in rural areas); poor human
security resources management ; and extreme poverty. African
countries will not develop economically and socially
To alleviate poverty and spur social and economic without substantial improvements in healthcare
transformation on the continent, the African Union pays delivery.
special attention to the development of Rural Economy
and Agriculture through various instruments such as The 2013 Abuja Special Summit on HIV/AIDS,
the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Tuberculosis, and Malaria highlighted the need to
Programme(CAADP). Statistics show that continued utilize and build on our research capacities to produce
food insecurity directly affects 239 million Africans, new and effective medicines, diagnostic tools, vector
with 30% to 40% of children under the edge of 5 years control tools and vaccines, and to promote research,
continuing to suffer from chronic under-nutrition at invention and innovation in traditional medicine and
a critical stage for both survival and cognitive and strengthening local health ecosystems, taking into
physical development. In January 2013, the Heads of account the socio-cultural and environmental situation
State and Government of African Union, together with of the people.
representatives of international organizations, civil
society organizations, private sector, cooperatives, In addition, the AU and its Member States must
farmers, youths, academia and other partners, prioritise establishing greater coordination both among
unanimously adopted a Declaration to end hunger in health stakeholders as well as with other related
Africa by 2025. sectors contributing to the development of science
and technology and building governance structures to
In this regard, Africa must build its response capacities promote ethics and research integrity, thus increasing
and capabilities and leverage existing relationships with public trust in research. This will require a collaborative
relevant partners outside Africa, to deal with emerging effort among various actors to promote and implement
challenges, such as low commodity yields, climate key policies and programmes on primary health care,
change and variability, water and land management, and as well as disease prevention and control.
increasing price volatility in global markets which could
undermine efforts to eradicate hunger and achieve food
and nutrition security. Processing, conservation and Priority 3: Communication (Physical & Intellectual
distribution of agricultural products goes far beyond Mobility)
the framework of rural and agricultural development
sectors and requires a concerted intervention of STI. Guided by the AU Programme on Infrastructure
Development for Africa (PIDA), Africa is investing
heavily in infrastructural development projects.
Priority 2: Prevention and control of diseases Implementation of major infrastructure projects must
incorporate sustainable knowledge management
Every year millions of Africans die of communicable systems design as well as requisite human skills and
and non-communicable diseases that are preventable competencies. While most of this knowledge has
and treatable; as a result of weak and fragmented traditionally come from outside the continent, African
health systems; inadequate resourcing to scale proven institutions must take responsibility for integrating
interventions; limited access to health services and robust and sustainable knowledge production
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systems in major physical and digital infrastructure Africa is strengthening its governance capacity as many
programmes. Physical communication is envisioned African countries reorganize their state structures
in terms of land, air, river and maritime routes and to foster entrepreneurship, flexibility to be more
equipment, infrastructure and energy, while ICT is responsive to the needs of citizens and champion
referred as intellectual communications (Table 1). innovation. STI will help strengthen the capacity of
AU Member States to build necessary infrastructure,
train future generations of political and social leaders,
Priority 4: Protection of our space business people and entrepreneurs, scientists and
researchers, and leverage STI for sustainable socio-
Earth Observation and Monitoring of Africas abundant economic development. This will require a multi-
natural resources, including minerals, and biodiversity disciplinary approach incorporating social sciences,
(and associated indigenous knowledge), are important humanities, and natural sciences.
for conserving the welfare of current and future
generations. Currently there is a need to address the
huge gap in terms of the requisite infrastructure and Priority 6: Wealth creation
critical human resources at all levels to fully realize
the potential benefits that would accrue from the Africas greatest hope for continental development is its
sustainable use and conservation of these resources. vibrant human resources. However, to accelerate Africas
transition to an Innovation-led, Knowledge-based
Space presents a unique opportunity for the continent Economy, our Human Resources must be empowered
to collectively address socio-economic development with the necessary skills and greater emphasis must be
issues through derived services such as Earth placed on innovation and on appropriate adaptation of
Observation, Navigation and Positioning, Satellite technology and existing research results. It is necessary
Communication Space Science and Astronomy. It to promote creativity and innovative technologies
further provides a platform for Member States to to locally process the continents abundant natural
cooperate and share the enabling infrastructure resources, and to create more wealth and jobs for the
and data and jointly manage programmes of mutual youth on the continent.
interest such as disease outbreaks; natural resources
and the environment; hazards and disasters; weather This priority will develop internal capacities; spur the
forecasting (meteorology); climate change mitigation co-creation, development and marketing of new or
and adaptation; marine and coastal areas, agriculture improved products and services through engagement
and food security; peacekeeping missions and conflicts. with end-user communities. This will create new
opportunities for value-added employment by
adapting and commercializing the outputs of national
Priority 5: Live together build the society and regional Innovation across Africa. Conducive
political and financial environment is a requirement for
Living together in peace and harmony is increasingly strengthening creativity and technological innovation
becoming a challenge for the continent. In a few years, that brings about entrepreneurship in new technological
frontiers such as nanotechnology.
Africa will have more than one hundred (100) mega
cities, each with more than one million inhabitants.
Democracy and integration related issues can be
addressed through community driven solutions that
leverage the knowledge of African shared values.
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Priorities Research and/or innovation areas
1 Eradicate Hunger - Agriculture/Agronomy in terms of cultivation technique, seeds, soil and climate
and ensure Food and - Industrial chain in terms of conservation and/or transformation and distribution
Nutrition Security infrastructure and techniques
2 Prevent and Control - Better understanding of endemic diseases - HIV/AIDS, Malaria Hemoglobinopathie
Diseases and ensure - Maternal and Child Health
Well-being - Traditional Medicine
3 Communication (Physical - Physical communication in terms of land, air, river and maritime routes equipment
& Intellectual Mobility) and infrastructure and energy
- Promoting local materials
- Intellectual communications in terms of ICT
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Priorities Key Domain (Illustration)
1 Eradicate Hunger Water Availabilty
and ensure food and Teams and
nutrition security
networks of
2 Prevent and Control Water Quality
researchers
Diseases and ensure
with program
well being
leaders within
3 Communication (Physical Water (River regimes)
& Intellectual Mobility) ASRIC Scientific
Phase 1: 2014: Institutional Setting: This includes from all key stakeholder groups. This will also facilitate
informing the establishment and resourcing of required the integration of the strategy in national and regional
institutions at national, regional and continental levels STI processes. Execution of this phase will mainly be the
through comprehensive stakeholder consultations, responsibility of the African Union Commission.
and a coordinated and integrated communication
campaign to secure necessary ownership and support Phase 2: 2015-2017: Development and Implementation
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2.4 Implementation Phases of the Strategy
of the first Set of flagship Programs. Three year be elaborated, implemented and evaluated.
flagship programs will be elaborated, adopted and
implemented, building on concluded or current Phase 4: 2021-2023: Based on lessons learnt and
successful national and regional programs. The Monitoring and Evaluation during Phase 3, the third set
NEPAD Centres of Excellence, Pan African University of flagship programs will be elaborated, implemented
and/or other networks will be given responsibility and evaluated.
and the necessary resources to effectively coordinate
Phase 5: 2024: Final evaluation of the strategy, lessons
implementation of these programs in each priority
learnt and impact to date combined with a 360 degree
area. ASRIC will be responsible for coordinating the
review of current priorities as they have evolved during
co-creation and development of flagship programs to
the ten year period will guide the adoption of objectives,
ensure broader coordination with other continental
performance metrics and milestones for the next ten
priorities using STI as a catalyst to address sectoral
year strategic plan.
priorities and challenges.
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Chapter 3
Pillars
PREQUISITE ACTIONS
This chapter outlines necessary implementation After comparable baseline data has been collected for
actions required to improve the level of STI readiness all Member States, with the support of RECs, upgrade
of Member States. programmes will be defined for national or regional
plans to achieve the critical mass of human capital
Monitoring and Evaluation will be undertaken and required to undertake coherent and efficient STI activity.
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3.1 Infrastructure Development
The development of Science, Technology and other innovators.
Innovation in Africa requires the upgrading of science
laboratories and the establishment of world class STI Engineering applications will be used to develop and
infrastructure. This includes research and innovation maintain scientific equipment that would allow the
facilities such as laboratories (for teaching, engineering conduct of good science. This will require partnerships
and clinical trials), teaching hospitals, ICT equipment between scientists and engineers in order to provide
and infrastructure, Innovation Spaces, Living Labs and solutions for producing scientific equipment, and
National Research and Education Networks (NRENs). research and inventive genius led products. To develop
Existing physical and digital infrastructure and resources infrastructure, a human capital base must be trained
will be leveraged and networked to increase utilization with the necessary competencies and capabilities
efficiency at national and regional level and reduce to plan, organise, lead, coordinate and ultimately
maintenance and operating costs through Shared ensure that systems and resources are in place for
Services. NRENs will facilitate coordinated collaboration implementation. This is evident when considering the
by education and research institutions between one repercussions of building competences of engineers
another as well as with Innovation Spaces and Living and science, technology and engineering (STE)
Labs, thus strengthening both the overall Research professionals. Governments will need to make the
and Innovation Ecosystems and the scale and quality necessary steps to ensure this enabling environment
of training and support available to entrepreneurs and exists towards building research innovations.
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Chapter 4
Governance
and
Implementation Arrangement
33
Fig.6 : Institutional Architecture for implementation of STISA-2024
African Heads of State and Government: They will by high level scientists/researchers from Africa and
support the STISA-2024 Strategy based on adoption the Diaspora be formed to serve as STI Ambassadors.
of its priorities. Heads of State and Government will From time to time, the Support Committee may invite
champion and popularize the integration of STISA-2024 eminent persons from the public, private, education
in national, regional and continental development and research, international development and funding
policies, programmes and frameworks. To strengthen sectors based on solely their expertise and commitment
and champion STISA-2024 at the continental level, it is (irrespective of gender or country of origin)to contribute
important that a high level Support Committee of at to the activities of the Committee.
least six Heads of State and Government supported
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Executive Council: The Executive Council will adopt Government on Science, Technology and Innovation
the key domains of the strategy as well as the flagship matters. The STC is responsible for establishing
programs, and deliberate on these based on evidence policies, strategic priorities and coherent, coordinated
based follow-up reports every three years. approaches for developing and implementing strategies
for STI. The STC will exercise policy oversight and
Ministerial Conference for Coordination and mobilize resources for implementation of STISA-2024.
Harmonization of Flagship Programs: To take into
account the STI demand from all sectors, it is necessary African Union Commission: The African Union
to create over and above the current Conference Commission as the AU secretariat shall be responsible
of Ministers of the African Union, a coordination for providing political and policy leadership for
body responsible for examining the key sectors implementation of this Strategy. Its specific roles will
and flagship programs for the entire continent to include: (a) convening meetings of the STC and ensuring
facilitate harmonization. This body will be chaired by that resolutions of such meetings are transmitted to
the President of the STC on Education, Science and the AU summits (b) initiating policy processes aimed at
Technology and its membership will comprise all the addressing specific Science, Technology and Innovation
chairs (with or without) the vice chairs of all the other issues (c) leading delegations to international processes
STC. This council will use the ASRIC-STRC as its main tool and negotiations on Science, Technology and Innovation
and could meet every two or three years as required. issues (d) providing a focal point for liaising with United
Nations agencies, its conventions and related scientific
Specialized Technical Committee (STC) in charge of bodies on matters pertaining to policy, (e) convening
Education, Science and Technology: The African Union annual partnership platforms and (f) creating various
Specialized Technical Committee (STC) in charge of advocacy schemes for promoting Science, Technology,
Education, Science and Technology will serve as a Innovation and ICT.
technical committee to advise the AU Heads of State and
Member States: Member States will mobilize funds, programme implementation at regional level. They
active participation and contributions from public, will also coordinate with the AUC and NEPAD Agency
private, education and research, societal, international in implementation of the STI Strategy and submit
development and funding sector stakeholders to implementation status reports bi-annually to the
implement the various initiatives emanating from this AMCOST.
Strategy.
NEPAD Agency: The NEPAD Agency, through its Science,
Regional Economic Communities: RECs will mobilize Technology and Innovation Hub (NSTIH), shall support
funding and align regional STI and ICT plans to this the technical implementation of the strategy and
STI Strategy by integrating the Strategy in other coordinate resource mobilization. Its specific roles
sectoral development plans and coordinating will include: (a) mobilizing and directing technical
35
expertise, including regional and continental networks African Observatory of Science Technology and
of centres of excellence to implement the programmes Innovation: AOSTI is a specialized Technical Office of
and projects established as a result of this Strategy; the African Union mandated to serve as the continental
(b) mobilizing financial resources for the provision of repository for STI statistics and a source of policy
technical support to implement strategic programmes; analysis and capacity building of Member States. It shall
(c) providing support to ASRIC-STRC in the development liaise with RECs and Member States in implementing
of national and regional strategies and action plans; (d) STI programme measurement.
providing technical support to AU Commissions policy
processes and activities. Pan-African University: PAU is the organ of the AUC
for advanced graduate education and postgraduate
research. Its five institutes (each of which will support
Bodies under the African Union Commission at least ten Centres) were established in response
to the demand for STI on the continent. Its research
African Scientific Research and Innovation Council
programs will systematically focus on addressing the
(ASRIC): The African Scientific, Research and Innovation
key priorities identified in STISA-2024.
Council is a platform for the development of bankable
programmes that address the key socio-economic Pan African Intellectual Property Organisation: PAIPO
development challenges in the continent. It acts as is in the process of being established to implement AU
an operational unit of the Ministerial Conference for policy in the field of Intellectual property. It will ensure
Coordination of Flagship Programs and supports RECs dissemination of patent information, provide technical
and Member States with its expertise. and financial support to invention and innovation
and promote protection and exploitation of research
ASRIC will not be a permanent organ and will meet bi-
results.
annually or annually depending on its regulations. The
STRC, which is an existing specialized technical Office, African Development Bank (AfDB): AfDB undertakes
will serve as the secretariat of ASRIC. On request from specific programs on STI and like the other partners,
the African Union Commission (HRST Department), synergy and complementarity will be best achieved
ASRIC-STRC can establish experts commissions to when AfDB programs are informed by and aligned with
deliberate on the flagship program. the continental strategy.
STRC: As the secretariat of ASRIC, the STRC will also be Development Partners: Similarly, international,
responsible for the inventory of research institutions, continental and national development partner
plans, programs, and other activities belonging to institutions, including civil society and the media will
the African Union and present a mapping to inform support implementation of the STI Strategy at all levels
and establish a harmonization policy. ASRIC will by providing financial and technical assistance and
submit an inception report through the AUC (HRST) informing and aligning programmes to the goals of the
to the Ministerial Conference for Coordination and this Strategy. They will also play important multiplier
Harmonization of Flagship Programs. roles in popularizing the importance of research and
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innovation in Africas development. and national and international development agencies
to facilitate technology transfer, collaborate in
Regional and International Research Institutions: commercializing and exploiting research and innovation
institutions with a regional or international mandate and support building the necessary capacities and
to perform research are encouraged to align their technical competencies required to achieve the
priorities to the strategy. They include but not limited objectives of the Strategy.
to: FARA, CAMES, AAS, AAU, OAPI, ARIPO etc. They will
provide technical support to the implementation of the
strategy.
37
4.3 Implementation Mechanisms
The strategy will be implemented at continental, regional institutions (e.g. AfDB, UNECA) will collaborate with
and national levels. At each level, programs will be co- other stakeholders, including civil society and the media
designed, validated, implemented, communicated and to support successful implementation of STISA-2024
evaluated. Member States will provide leadership to by providing financial and technical assistance and
secure active participation and contribution by a critical aligning current and future programmes. They will
mass of relevant public, private, education and research, also play important multiplier roles in popularizing
societal, international development and funding sector the importance of research and innovation in Africas
stakeholders to co-design and implement the various development.
flagship programs and initiatives resulting from
STISA-2024 (Table 2). RECs and AU Member States will The private sector will work closely with public,
also coordinate with the AUC and NEPAD Agency in education and research, societal, funding and national
implementing the STI Strategy and submitting bi-annual and international development agencies to support
implementation status reports to the STC on Education, building the necessary capacities and technical
Science and Technology. competencies of Member States, RECs and other
continental organisations required to achieve the
International and continental development partner objectives of the Strategy.
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Chapter 5
Funding Mechanisms
STISA-2024 recommends that domestic resources that the proposed ASTIF is sufficiently well endowed
should be mobilised for STI research and innovation. and functional, it is crucial that adequate financial
External technical and financial support should help resources are mobilized from the public and private
strengthen the domestic funding base, thus supporting sectors, funding communities both inside and outside
sustainability. Further, there is urgent need to set-up Africa, and actively engaging other alternative sources
an African Science and Technology Innovation Fund of funding.
(ASTIF) as a pan African financial instrument. To ensure
42
Illustration for Africas STI funding potential
Africa has the potential to finance its STI development programs towards the 1% GDP allocation. The
2013 statistics of the five countries with highest STI expenditure illustrate this potential as follows:
- Concerning Africas potential, it is important to quantify investments lost through brain drain
43
Chapter 6
Communication
and
Publicity
STISA-2024 will be popularized within AU structures, Indigenous) knowledge is critical. For STI Ambassadors,
as well as national, regional and international research Research and Innovation Champions, the media and
and innovation stakeholders. AU Member States and youth communities to effectively advocate for STI, they
RECs must cooperate in developing appropriate and need simple, straightforward and relevant messages.
mutually reinforcing national and regional plans for STI Advocates for STI Research and Innovation should
communication and outreach activities. The STISA-2024 be well-versed in the subject matter and have the
Communication and outreach Plan should encourage communication skills to convey consistent messaging
dialogue with the public using their local languages. that clearly addresses the interests, concerns
A key aspect of communication and outreach is to and previous exposure of target communities.
regularly report progress and showcase local, national More importantly, relevant, targeted information,
and regional achievements through case studies that communication medium and local languages are all
have cross-border relevance and potential impact. essential elements for effective dissemination. The
STISA-2024 communication strategy shall formulate
AUC, NEPAD and Member State STI communication and communication training programmes that will empower
outreach programs should utilize a coordinated, multi- advocates for STI, the public, policy makers and decision
channel approach. In Africa, the perceived relevance makers. Access to tailored, targeted information will
of STI research and innovation by wider society is help stimulate demand for STI Research and Innovation
weak. In many Member States the public does not across different socio-economic sectors in Africa.
adequately appreciate how scientific and technological
developments have improved the quality of their lives. 6.2 Scientific Knowledge Utilization
To increase public appreciation of STI and its important
role in sustainable socio-economic development, Scientific knowledge must build on the shoulders
there is need to appoint high profile and credible STI of the giants who came before us. Establishing a
Ambassadors and Research and Innovation Champions healthy, vibrant and sustainable Innovation Ecosystem,
who can target different constituencies and sectors, requires clear communication and knowledge sharing
develop programmes to build STI capacity in the between all innovation stakeholders. This serves to
media. Above all, it is essential to engage with youth reduce duplication of effort, increase research and
communities, to help them develop entrepreneurial innovation excellence and properly utilise scientific and
opportunities leveraging STI through skills development technological knowledge to address societal challenges
training, linkages with education and research through innovative products, services, processes,
stakeholders, mentoring by private sector stakeholders business models and policies. The African STI
and other structured support mechanisms. community must also leverage the invaluable insight of
Indigenous Knowledge that is often transferred orally
To achieve the goal of an Innovation-led development from one generation to the next.
pathway in Africa, utilization of scientific (including
46
6.3 Awards and Recognition
Science, Technology and Innovation are at the top of
Africas development, cooperation and political agendas.
In January 2007, the AU Heads of State and Government
declared 2007 as the launching year for building
constituencies and champions for Science, Technology
and Innovation in Africa. In response to this political
momentum and commitment, STISA-2024 underscores
the need for AU Member States, Regional Economic
Communities and other key stakeholders to contribute
towards raising the profile of science and technology
sector and building a scientific culture amongst African
citizens.
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Chapter 7
Monitoring
and
Evaluation
50
development is currently not adequately assessed,
recognized and prioritized in policy formulation. This risk
should be lessened by integrating STI and ICT into all AU
development frameworks, this response is expected to
diffuse to national and regional initiatives. Finally, based
on lessons learnt from implementation of the CPA,
an evidence based approach must be implemented,
establishing comparable baselines and performance
metrics at national and regional level.
51
On the wings of innovation