– Advertisement –
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has urged African countries to use science, technology and innovation to pursue economic growth and sustainable development.
Claver Gatete, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the ECA, made the call in a statement at the eighth African Science, Technology and Innovation Forum in Addis Ababa.
Gattete said rapid technological changes and global economic transformation require urgent and coordinated action by African countries.
Slowing global growth, rising debt vulnerabilities and climate shocks are reshaping development prospects across the continent, he said.
According to him, advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and digital systems are redefining productivity and competitiveness globally.
Gattete said Africa risks missing out on emerging opportunities if it fails to act decisively.
“This means the window for delay is gone and the costs of inaction are rising,” he said.
Internet penetration in Africa was projected to be around 36 percent in 2025, highlighting the persistent digital divide, he said.
The ECA boss also said that despite its large population, the continent accounts for only 0.6 per cent of global patent applications.
He described the figures as indicative of untapped potential and gaps that require immediate attention.
Garrett stressed that science, technology and innovation must be integrated with Africa's economic transformation agenda.
He said innovation should lead to value addition, employment generation and improved productivity in all sectors.
He also called for increased investment in digital public infrastructure, including digital identity systems and data platforms.
Garrett stressed the need to build skills in science, engineering and emerging technologies, especially among youth and women.
He further stressed the importance of regional integration in enhancing innovation in African markets.
According to him, initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area provide opportunities to expand digital solutions and value chains.
Garrett said reliable and sustainable energy remains critical to supporting Africa's digital transformation.
He said that without adequate energy supplies, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies will face significant disruptions.
The ECA Executive Secretary called for stronger coordination across sectors, countries and institutions to maximize impact.
He said Africa must position itself not only as a consumer of technology, but also as a contributor to global innovation.
Garrett reaffirmed ECA's commitment to supporting Member States through policy research, technical assistance and partnerships.
In a related development, ECA has called for an integrated approach to tackle Africa's interconnected climate, food, energy and water challenges.
Mama Keita, Deputy Executive Secretary for Program Support at ECA, said this in a statement at a high-level dialogue in Addis Ababa.
Keita said climate-related shocks, rising debt pressures and tight financial conditions are hindering growth across the continent.
He said Africa faces a financing gap of about $1.3 trillion annually to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to him, climate-related shocks are reducing gross domestic product (GDP) in already vulnerable African economies by up to five percent annually.
He also warned that disruptions in global supply chains are disrupting energy and fertilizer flows, which is having an impact on food prices and economic stability.
Keita stressed that Africa can no longer address development challenges alone, describing fragmented approaches as ineffective and counterproductive.
“We must move away from uncoordinated responses where sectors work in silos and investments fail to reinforce each other,” he said.
He called for a climate-water-energy-food nexus approach to manage interlinkages and build resilience across all sectors.
The ECA official said integrated solutions will help maximize synergy, minimize trade-offs and accelerate progress towards development goals.
Keita said that while some progress has been made, integrated approaches remain limited across the continent.
He said the dialogue provided a platform to share experiences and identify scalable solutions for implementation.
Keita outlined three priorities, including policy coherence, innovative financing and investment in data and science
He said stronger coordination across sectors would reduce inefficiencies and improve development outcomes.
He also called for blended finance, increased use of green bonds and better domestic resource mobilization to raise funds for development.
According to him, it will be important to address illicit financial flows estimated at $88 billion annually to boost available resources.
Keita stressed the need for strong data systems and capable institutions to support effective planning and delivery.
He said Africa's future will depend on how well countries manage relations between regions rather than within individual regions.
“Alliance is not an option, it is a necessity,” he said.
Keita reaffirmed ECA's commitment to supporting African countries through policy research, technical assistance and stakeholder engagement.
By Lucy Oglu