Under the auspices of the NEPAD Agency’s Industrialization, Science, Technology and Innovation Department, the Emerging Technologies Cluster has been mandated to coordinate the provision of technical advice, capacity building and policy reform for Member States in harnessing emerging technologies for the socio-economic development of the continent.
The Emerging Technology Cluster is built on four pillars:
- Empowerment of Member States in harnessing emerging technologies
- Utilization of African expertise, potential and skills
- Application of evidence-based innovation and knowledge products
- Capacity of building
The Emerging Technology Cluster uses a four-pronged approach as follows:
- Establishment of the AU High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) which advises the African Union and Member States on harnessing emerging technologies
- Support the domestication of protocols for regulating emerging technologies such as gene drive mosquitoes
- Adopt an integrated vector management approach to adoption of emerging technologies and innovation
- Build the capacity of African policymakers, regulators, researchers, academia, youth and other relevant stakeholders in order to increase knowledge, acceptance of emerging technologies
The Agenda 2063 recognizes science, technology and innovation (STI) as enablers for achieving Africa’s sustained growth, competitiveness and economic transformation by investing in technologies and continuous innovation. A major recognition in STISA is that the continent needs to apply existing and emerging technologies in order to realize the African Union vision.
In order to achieve the AU goals, The NEPAD Agency through the Industrialization, Science, Technology and Innovation Department’s Emerging Technology Cluster provides technical support to Member States in harnessing both existing and emerging technologies for socio-economic benefits while minimising adverse effects.