Science, Technology and Innovation, key to Africa’s Development

Africa missed out on the first three Industrial Revolutions and is at risk of missing the Fourth if decisive action is not taken. The digital revolution will not only reinforce the existent divides but create new ones. That means for Africa to realize the promise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it will need to invest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, as well as Research and Development, to create environments that promote African innovations.

The UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) has embarked on a strategic agenda that identified six priorities with great potential to enhance Africa’s development. The strategic agenda is clustered around six thematic areas, including Science Technology and Innovation, with focus on closing the gap on digital literacy and digital divide; tackling intellectual property rights to leapfrog development.