Building Capacity in Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa’s Transformation

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) is planning to launch in Stockholm, Sweden on 30th May 2017, its flagship publication, the 2017 Africa Capacity Report (ACR2017) which is on the theme: Building Capacity in Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa’s Transformation. The launch of the Report is being planned in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) under the signed strategic collaborative arrangement between the two institutions. 

The Africa Capacity Reports (ACRs) support the entrenchment of capacity development in Africa’s development agenda. Each Report, and its composite index, the Africa Capacity Index (ACI), is meant to narrate all the critical capacity dimensions that are pertinent to Africa’s growth and economic transformation at country and continental level. Generally, the ACR offers the needed inputs into the decisions on what to finance in order to develop capacity; whether they be regulatory and institutional reforms that are key in the development agenda.

The ACR2017 recognizes that with the adoption of Agenda 2063, the commitment of Africa to the Sustainable Development Goals and the industrialization strategy, and science, technology and innovation (STI), is critical. Furthermore, 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) in June 2014. The strategy is part of the long-term people-centered Africa’s development blueprint, Agenda 2063. Agenda 2063 is underpinned by STI as an engine of sustainable and economic transformation. STI is considered as a tool and enabler for achieving Africa’s development goals.

The launch in Stockholm, in partnership with International IDEA, is aimed at bringing to the fore the key findings on the assessment of capacity for STI and set the stage for a concrete suggestion on the policies and implementation arrangements needed for success. The event is also intended to familiarize the global public on the Africa Capacity Report and blend a set of change actions that can maximize on the role of the various actors in STI for Africa’s development. Launching with International IDEA has an important signal for the role STI can play in Africa’s inclusive and sustainable development.