Focus on human capital and improve science and technology, regional integration report advises

Abstract

The report Assessing Regional Integration in Africa VII: Innovation, Competitiveness and Regional Integration (ARIA VII) launched on Saturday 2 April during the African Development Week provides fascinating insights on how regional integration can foster innovation and competition in African countries. Africa has spent much of the past decade investing in physical infrastructure, but it must not forget the development of human capital, the report urges. Investing in education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will generate the knowledge base required to facilitate innovation and competitiveness. The report states “innovation drives growth and structural transformation, and it offers unique opportunities to ‘late-developer’ countries to leap-frog into new technologies. As innovative capacities grow, competitiveness is enhanced. ” Discussion during this well-attended session, included intellectual property rights, improving the capacity of institutions, producing more female science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates.