2017 senior experts dialogue on science, technology and innovation and the African transformation agenda: concept note and programme

Abstract

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Ministry of Scientific Research of Senegal, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, are organizing a three-day senior experts dialogue on science, technology and innovation and the African transformation agenda on the theme of “Higher education, science, technology and innovation and the African integration and development agenda”. In the present concept note, the approach taken by ECA and its partners to address the twin challenges of the continent’s sub optimally performing higher education and science, technology and innovation sectors is presented. To do that, past and ongoing work of ECA and elsewhere is taken into consideration. This note is designed to stimulate discussion and generate new ideas at the dialogue on how best to organize African higher education to create and transfer knowledge and ideas to bring about innovation and promote economic growth and transformation in Africa.