March 3, 2022
1 min read

UNECA chief urges Africa to tap into tech, innovation

UN Economic Commission for Africa’s (UNECA) Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe, has called on African countries to tap into the potential presented through science, technology, and innovation as Africa’s blueprint for accelerated development…reports Asian Lite News

The UNECA chief called for the establishment of an African Technology Development and Transfer Network to spur innovation and accelerate development on the continent, according to a UNECA statement released on Wednesday.

An African Technology Development and Transfer Network could identify emerging technologies, anticipate needs and encourage the sharing of knowledge across the continent, Xinhua news agency reported citing Songwe.

“We need to build sound scientific, technological and innovation foundations to enable science, technology and innovation to deliver. As we have witnessed recently, many of our countries needed support to build capacities to test for Covid,” she said.

“As global supply chains collapsed, Africa’s over-reliance on imported medical supplies left the continent vulnerable in many aspects, and Africa was forced to innovate,” Songwe added.

ALSO READ:Museveni Seeks African Unity To Face Challenges

The UNECA co-hosted the 4th Africa Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Forum ahead of the eighth Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD8), slated from March 3 to 5 in Kigali, Rwanda under the theme “Building Forward Better: A Green, Inclusive and Resilient Africa Poised to Achieve the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063”.

The Africa STI Forum, which is a collaborative multi-stakeholder forum on science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established pursuant to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as part of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism.

The mechanism was established under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and was launched by the 2030 Agenda to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Previous Story

Abramovich wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly

Next Story

Russian drivers banned from racing in Britain

Latest from AFRICA NEWS

180 Years of Indian Roots in Caribbean

The Indian Arrival Day is marked on 30th May, when the first ship ‘Fatel Razack’ carrying 225 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Trinidad, then a British colony….reports Asian Lite News

Ould Tah to head AfDB

Tah, a seasoned economist and development financier, will formally assume office on 1 September 2025, taking over from Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the

Big pay bump for SA workers

The landmark move, which follows months of intense negotiations with trade unions, is expected to benefit millions of civil servants across national and provincial departments. South Africa’s government has confirmed a sweeping

Deadly floods ravage Nigeria

Triggered by torrential rains and the collapse of a nearby dam on May 28, 2025, the floods have submerged vast areas, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced thousands of residents. The death toll from

UN renews Libya arms ship checks

Thirteen Council members voted in favour of the resolution, while Russia and China abstained. The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the authorisation allowing member states to inspect vessels suspected
Go toTop

Don't Miss

The awards followed a lengthy evaluation by an eight-strong judging panel.

The awards followed a lengthy evaluation by an eight-strong judging

UAE liberalises visa rules

The new visa and residence scheme introduced by the UAE