Africa urged to embrace innovation policies

Left to right: Presidents Salva Kiir, Uhuru Kenyatta, Yoweri Museveni (back in white shirt), John Magufuli and Burundi vice-president Gaston Sindimwo. Rwanda Infrastructure minister James Musoni walks behind Mr Kenyatta. The East African leaders met in Kampala, Uganda for the EAC summit on February 24, 2018. PHOTO | By HILDA MHAGAMA

REFORM of African national science, technology and innovation policies to enhance development that drives progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is crucial, according to a new study published yesterday by the African Academy of Sciences.

The study, Africa Beyond 2030: Leveraging Science and Innovation to Secure SDGs, is based on extensive literature review, surveys and interviews with scientists, policymakers and development partners between 2016 and 2017.
It further details specific policy measures that countries must take individually and collectively to leverage Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to achieve the SDGs. In the past, STI policies have been criticised for short changing monitoring and evaluation frameworks and budgets and failing to incorporate national strategies on sustainable development.
These may have resulted in weak government capacity and poor public understanding and ownership. The new study calls for harnessing STI to achieve SDGs and requires policy reform supported by strong budgets, skilled personnel and a legislative monitoring and evaluation component to assess impact.
Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), Professor Nelson Torto, said there was need to bring science and technology to bear on sustainable development priorities to ensure a long term and intergenerational solution driven agenda for eradicating poverty and improving lives of African people. Prof Torto said the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015.
The 17 SDGs are based on ending poverty, promoting equality and equitable access to global resources and tackling climate change. The AAS’ Policy and Strategy Manager, Evelyn Namubiru- Mwaura, said the existence of the STI policies demonstrate a political will to advance the sector there, it also shows a dual commitment to achieve SDGs.