The African Union (AU) has established a High Level Panel on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The panel will advise the AU on reviewing Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) which was adopted by African ministers responsible for science and technology in 2005 and endorsed by Heads of State and Government in 2006 in order to move the continent from resource-based economies into innovation-led, knowledge-based economies.

The eight-member panel is drawn from all five Africa’s geographical regions as well as the international community. It is co-chaired by Prof. Calestous Juma (Harvard University, USA) and Prof. Ismail Serageldin (Library of Alexandria, Egypt). The other members are Dr. Botlhale Tema (South Africa), Dr. Rispah Oduwo (Kenya), Prof. Jean-de Dieu Nzila (Republic of Congo), Prof. François Lompo (Burkina Faso), Prof. Karim Maredia (Michigan State University, USA) and Prof. Pascal Kossivi Adjamagbo (University Paris 6, France).

The first meeting of the panel was held on 8-9 August 2012 at the Library of Alexandria in Egypt. The following is a summary of emerging issues:

• The panel commended Africa’s political leaders for the high level guidance and support they are providing, through the AU, to on-going regional integration efforts and its socio-economic development programme, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The panel strongly emphasized the urgency of transforming vision into reality, and that member states and regional economic communities should take full advantage of the available political support and translate it into practical action.

• The panel observed that over the past seven years, the CPA has inspired numerous national, regional and continental activities. It noted the need to ask member states and other actors to provide more detailed information on these activities to facilitate the review process.

• It stressed the need to think and act strategically about the role of science, technology and innovation and to create the necessary research and advisory institutions—especially to high level leaders—to support implementation.

• The panel discussed the importance of upgrading the continent’s human resource base and infrastructure, and adding value to natural resources as part of the transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

• It recognized the critical role that African universities and research institutions can play as engines of economic transformation and called for a careful review of experiences around the world that can inform action in Africa. These include links with industries and businesses, business incubation and expanded entrepreneurial activities.

• In implementing the roadmap, countries and regional bodies should design creative approaches to provide incentives for action and mobilization of financial resources.

• The panel underscored that the roadmap for STI implementation should focus on harnessing existing technologies to address specific socio-economic problems while laying the foundation for building long-term research and development (R&D) capacity through public-private collaborations and global knowledge partnerships.

• The transition toward a knowledge-based economy will entail complementary institutional innovation at the national, regional and continental levels. The panel noted the importance of the co-evolution of technology and institutions and the need to take into account the social dimensions of innovation.

The outcomes of the first meeting of the panel will inform the production of (1) an analytical report of achievements of the CPA; (2) a revised CPA; and (3) a roadmap and evidence-based advocacy strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Africa.

The next meeting of the Panel will be held in October 2012 in South Africa.

For more information, please contact:

Professor Aggrey Ambali (Panel Manager)
aggrey@nepadst.org
Tel: +27 83 280 1317 (cell) +27 12 841 3688 (office)

Professor Calestous Juma (Panel Co-Chair)
calestous_juma@harvard.edu
Tel.: 1 617 230-4489 (cell) 1 617 495-8127 (office) Twitter @calestous

Professor Ismail Serageldin (Panel Co-Chair)
ismail.serageldin@bibalex.org
Tel: +20-3-487 9993 or +20-3-487 9299 Twitter @i_serageldin

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African Union (AU): AU with current membership of 54 countries was established following the 9th September, 1999 declaration (the Sirte Declaration) of the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The AU is based on a common vision of a united and strong Africa and on the need to build a partnership between government and all segments of civil society. The AU focuses on the promotion of prosperity, peace, security and stability.

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): NEPAD is a programme of the African Union (AU) adopted in Lusaka, Zambia in 2001. NEPAD’s objective is to enhance Africa’s growth, development and participation in the global economy.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA): Library of Alexandria in Egypt with its combinations of arts, culture and science, its advanced technologies and its research institutes is a model of an African-based knowledge institution that has succeeded in reaching the highest levels of international performance using local talent to leapfrog into the digital age of knowledge management.