African countries need to prioritise investment and training in scientific research as a critical factor for economic growth and development, Professor Luke Mumba, Coordinator of NEPAD’ s African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (ASTII) Initiative said earlier this week during the opening of a four-day training workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Professor Mumba explained that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) indicators are critical in monitoring Africa's scientific and technological development. These indicators are useful for formulating, adjusting and implementing technology and innovation policies and strategies. Indicators can also be important to monitor global technological trends, conduct foresight exercises, and determine specific areas of investment, he said. 

Speaking during the opening, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Oppah Muchinguri, underscored that "insignificant public investment in research and innovation has led to an unhealthy situation characterised by low research outputs, negligible patenting of research outcomes and low commercialisation of research results that benefit our people."

"If we are to transform as a country and as a region we need to embrace science, technology and innovation,” she said.

The Minister also referred to the fact that the emergence of technology driven Asian economic giants such as Japan, South Korea and China stand as evidence that if deliberate and targeted efforts to harness science and technology for national development are adopted it can be a sustainable way for providing solutions to some of the challenges facing the developing world today.

(Centre) ASTII team: Mrs Manana Mashologu, Mr Seke Lukovi, Prof Luke Mumba and Minister Muchinguri

It is for this reason that NEPAD’s ASTII Programme aims to support and strengthen the capacity of African countries to develop and use STI Indicators in development planning and policy, so as to advance innovation and research in Africa.  ASTII achieves this by developing and promoting the adoption of internationally compatible STI indicators; building human and institutional capacities for STI indicators and related surveys; enabling African countries to participate in international programmes for STI indicators; and informing African countries on the state of STI in Africa.

One of ASTII’s key result areas is to encourage participating countries to adopt policies that support the allocation of 1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to Research and Development.

The workshop is part of a series of training sessions in which national experts involved in African science, technology, innovation and statistics will be equipped with the skills for enhanced data collection in research, development and innovation. The outcomes of the trainings are expected to help them design, implement, monitor and evaluate STI policies and strategies based on internationally accepted standards.