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Technology, innovation and Science, are critical to the transformation of Africa in agriculture, industry and poverty eradication.
This is according to tech experts in a statement issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) at the end of a two-day African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum in Ethiopia on Friday.
According to the stakeholders, Africa can build a more prosperous, just and sustainable future if countries invest in science, technology and innovation.
Deputy Executive-Secretary for Programme Support at the ECA, Anonio Pedro, said it was time for Africa to invest in learning how to produce, sell and use emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and genomics that were transforming every aspect of life.
“Technology should advance the wellbeing of the millions of households, farmers, fishermen and many others that still use basic tools to lift themselves out of extreme poverty.
“Science and technology can play an important role in increasing the efficiency of service delivery to the poor, monitoring living conditions, predicting impending crises in crowded or remote areas and informing decision-making during crises,” Pedro said.
Belete Molla, Minister of Technology and Innovation of Ethiopia, talked about how his country was leveraging on technology to transform the agriculture sector.
Molla noted that fostering innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, clean energy and healthcare could create jobs, improve livelihoods and lift millions out of poverty in Africa.
He cited Ethiopia’s commitment to improving its agricultural sector and ensuring food security was a good example to be emulated by other countries in Africa.
Molla said Ethiopia had not only created a roadmap for food system transformation but actively implemented numerous initiatives.
According to him, these initiatives prioritised boosting agricultural resilience, achieving food self-sufficiency and combating climate change.
“The country recently amended its science and technology policy, placing a strong emphasis on fostering innovation and harnessing the potential of emerging technologies.
“Ethiopia has developed a food system transformation roadmap and inaugurated several initiatives focused on boosting agricultural productivity, achieving self-sufficiency and combating climate change. These initiatives include improving access to fertilisers, seeds and technologies for farmers,” he said.
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