Africa needs tech, innovation to improve output

The meeting also intensified calls for African states to ensure integration of STI in their respective development frameworks while reiterating the centrality of science and technology in socio-economic development including, transformation of rural livelihoods on the continent.

This apt and timely call was led by experts from the lead organisers namely;  AATF, Government of Rwanda through its Ministry of Agriculture and the African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

While African governments have often times reiterated the role of STI in the transformation of agricultural sector as an imperative engine to the continent’s survival and growth, the process has been slow amid continuous and emerging challenges. 

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Post Covid-19 and out of these calls, evidence of new challenges have emerged and with them, opportunities to mitigate namely; efficiency, resilience, digitisation, agility and sustainability.

Reviewed from the perspective of impressive policy initiatives yet with limited implementations, a number of gaps have been apparent like; Science and Technology being narrowly defined; insufficient emphasis on innovation; low level of readiness for innovation and poor infrastructure, among others.

Yet as already stated, Africa’s agricultural and structural transformation lies in the advancement of STI. To this end, there must be immediate and continuous improvement in information and communication technology, harnessing of biotech and nanotech in order to increase food production, fight diseases like malaria, TB and HIV which impacts on agricultural productivities. 

Granted, most countries lack the requisite scientific and technological capabilities to engage in these applications but then, herein lie the challenges that must be addressed.

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The post-Kigali resolution must be guides to ensure sufficient coordination with agencies to build integrated systems that work as evidence suggests. Africa previously put more emphasis on research and development yet, with minimal success because it had minimal emphasis on domestic technology and innovation. Africa must build on benchmarking and implementation strategies that work.

Kigali voices must be heard with attendant budgetary increase in agriculture – relative say, to security as in some countries – and, investments in science, engineering, entrepreneurial skills, scientific skills and infrastructure backed by cross-cutting innovative and tangible dialogue. 

To enhance capacity at national level, universities, private enterprises, financial institutions, technological support agencies, policy making and research bodies and think-tanks and governments working together shall  directly impact advances in farm machinery and technology that enables scaling up, speed and higher productivity; seed technology, irrigation, fertilizers and hence, higher yields.

Threats from climate change, population growth and the emergence of various pests and diseases against the background of Africa’s food bill estimated to hit $110 billion by 2025 is not sustainable; these steps are imperative engines to spur continental GDP, industrialisation and the achievement of the Africa 2063 agenda and her own contribution to SDGs. 

The writer is a pan-Africanist and former columnist with New African Magazine                      [email protected]