Article
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy for the East African Community validated for adoption by Member States
To achieve socio-economic development and regional integration as enshrined in the Vision 2050 of the East African Community (EAC), the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in collaboration with multiple stakeholders developed the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy for the EAC. The final drafted policy was validated in a workshop organized from 15th to 16th October 2019 in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Member States of the East African Community (EAC) recognizes the role that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) can play in transforming key sectors of their economies drive strategic actions towards sustainable development. Following the aspirations and priority areas of the Vision 2050 of the EAC and in consonance with actions towards the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the STI Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024), the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in collaboration with key stakeholders including UNESCO developed the STI Policy for adoption by EAC Member States. The final drafted policy was validated in a workshop organized from 15th to 16th October 2019 in Arusha, Tanzania. In participation were delegates from the EAC, representatives of National Commissions and Councils for Science, Technology and Innovation of EAC Member States and UNESCO.
Opening Ceremony
At the Opening Ceremony were the Chairperson, Mr. Ernest Mpundu, National Council for Science and Technology, Republic of Rwanda; the Deputy Executive Secretary of EASTECO, Dr. Saidi Kibeya representing the Executive Secretary; Representative of UNESCO-Multi sectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa- Nairobi, Dr. Samuel Partey; Mrs. Judith Kadege representing the Director General of Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH); Mr. Gwamaka Lazarous from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and EA Cooperation, United Republic of Tanzania; and the Main Guest of Honour, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, Deputy Secretary General, Productive & Social Sectors, of the East African Community Secretariat. All dignitaries reiterated the need to harness STI to lead the development processes and agenda of the EAC. They expressed the timeliness of the STI policy that is expected to drive actions towards the realization of the EAC Vision 2050, the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Meeting proceedings
EASTECO Secretariat presented sections of the Regional Draft STI Policy after which there well parallel discussion sessions to validate contents of the policy. Feedbacks and reflections were discussed in a plenary before the closing.
Pillars and Priorities of the EAC STI Policy
The East African Regional STI Policy is anchored on the following pillars: i) Capacity building for skills and STI Infrastructure; ii) Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; iii) Resource mobilization, partnerships and collaborations; and iv) Enabling environment. On the other hand, the priority (sector) areas for the East African Regional Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are: (1) Agriculture and Food; (2) Health and Life Sciences; (3) Human Resource Development/ Education; (4) Infrastructure; (5) Energy; (6) ICT and Big Data (7) Industrialization and Trade; (8) Environment and Natural Resources Management; (9) Climate Change; (10) Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge; and (11) Space Science and Technology.
Key Sections of the EAC STI Policy
The EAC STI Policy document is divided into 5 chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction. This covers the introduction, background, global and continental environment for STI, rationale, situation analysis, environmental scan, review of legal framework for STI, emerging issues and identified challenges.
Chapter 2: Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles, STI Policy Objectives, Pillars and Development Priority Sectors. The chapter covers the EAC vision and mission for STI, the EAC STI Policy objectives, guiding principles, Pillars and EAC priority sectors for STI and the corresponding strategic policy objectives.
Chapter 3: East African Innovation Ecosystem. This chapter covers the national innovation system, EAC innovation ecosystem, policy support measures/ priorities to improve S&T led innovation in EAC, 4th industrial revolution and management of intellectual; property rights.
Chapter 4: Policy Implementation System. This covers the regional harmonised STI platform, EAC decision making and implementing institutions for the EAC STI Policy; implementation mechanisms; regional, continental and international collaborations; strategies for implementation of the EAC STI Policy and promoting a culture for STI. The chapter also covers sections on Partner States efforts in financing STI, private sector financing for STI development and application, EAC Research and Innovation Fund, African STI Fund, Development Partners/ Donors contribution to STI development and application, and NGOs and other stakeholders’ contribution to STI development and application. This chapter concludes with a section on communication and outreach tools for the EAC STI Policy and knowledge management for STI
Chapter 5: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E Framework). This covers M&E implementation plan, measuring the performance of STI and STI indicators, Risk and Success Factors and Risk Mitigation Measures.
Next line of actions
EASTECO Secretariat will incorporate the recommendations following expert advice during the validation for approval at the EAC Ministerial level.
