This panel debate at the Institute of Development Studies examines responses to the recently-published Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024).

In June 2014, the 23rd Ordinary Session of African Union Heads of State and Government Summit adopted a 10-year Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024). The strategy is part of the long-term AU Agenda 2063 that is underpinned by science, technology and innovation (STI) as enablers for achieving continental development goals.

The Agenda calls for the diversification of sources of growth and sustenance of Africa’s current economic performance, and in the long-run, lifting large sections of the population out of poverty. The strategy aims at fostering social transformation and economic competitiveness through human capital development, innovation, value addition, industrialisation and entrepreneurship.

In this panel debate we bring together a panel from Africa, Europe and America to debate STISA and address critical questions that include:

1. How does STISA fit into Africa’s broad development strategy?
2. How do we deal with governance and its impact on STI?
3. Beyond the African Union and its agencies, what role for citizens in Africa?
4. What roles for the Diaspora?
5. How do we fund STISA?

This open session (starting at 3.30pm) is the final part of a day-long workshop about STISA. The previous sessions are invite-only.

Panel

Allam Ahmed, World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD)/SPRU (moderator)
Johan Schot, Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex
Clapperton C Mavhunga, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Tighisti Amare, Chatham House
Chandrika Nath, Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST)
Hambani Masheleni, African Union Commission
Martin Bell, SPRU
Solomon Mugera, BBC Africa
Osama Idris, Agrigum International Limited

Conclusions and closing remarks will be given by Adrian Ely (SPRU/STEPS Centre) and Chux Daniels (SPRU).

Planning Committee Members: Chux Daniels, Clapperton Mavhunga, Elsie Onsongo, Yusuf Dirie and Harriet Dudley.

This workshop is jointly hosted by SPRU, MIT, STEPS Centre, ATPS UK, Sussex-Africa Centre and African Union.

Attendance

All are welcome to attend this event and no registration is required. For more information, contact Chux Daniels (email: c.u.daniels [at] sussex.ac.uk).

Related blogs

Debating science and technology for development in Africa by Ian Scoones, 11 August 2015

STISA-2024: Debating Africa’s “Blueprint” for Science, Technology & Innovation by Chux Daniels, 22 July 2015

Same meat, different gravy? The new Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) by David Ockwell, 5 August 2014

How to redefine innovation & development: an African perspective by Gillian M. Marcelle, 10 March 2015