In the last few decades, Africa’s scientific landscape has advanced with an increase in the number of institutions conducting world class research, increased talent and African scientific expertise growing on the continent with excellent upcoming local innovations that meet the continents needs and advance development. The African Academy of Sciences (The AAS) and partners have been at the epicentre of this growth transforming lives in Africa through science.
The AAS recognizes the need to continue advancing this science-led development agenda and aspires to emerge as a scientific leader in integrating science and development particularly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and setting the roadmap for the impact of science in Africa and beyond. As the only Academy enjoying the support and recognition of several governments, major international partners and the Africa Union (and with joint programmes with NEPAD Agency) it is important that The Academy closely aligns its activities to the AU’s Science Technology Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024). STISA-2024 was simultaneously developed with Agenda 2063 that clearly outlines the Africa Africans want in a succinct set of 7 aspirations and recognizes STI as one of the major drivers and enablers for achieving development goals of the AU and its Member States.
STISA 2024
STISA-2024 is a short-term incremental strategy designed to address Africa’s challenges, with the ultimate goal of contributing significantly to the AU vision. STISA-2024 responds to the demand for STI to impact on critical sectors including agriculture, energy, environment, health, infrastructure, mining, security and water among others.
The AAS has developed good partnerships and linkage with its Fellows, Affiliates, grantees, funders, and African governments positioning herself as a leader taking the science-led development torch further afield. The Academy’s science portfolio has increased funder’s confidence in its’ potential to lead in driving STI on the continent and has resulted in The Academy acquiring more funding to advance scientific progress thus improving the lives of people on the continent.
Further, The Academy has been able to continuously recognize and award remarkable African scientists, including women, who are making a significant difference in their fields of research. The AAS continues to provide scientist and their institutions with the capacity needed to conduct high quality-impactful science; and given its pan-African reach, bring talented African scientists together to foster collaboration, engagement and sharing of ideas, best practices and evidence and more importantly, facilitate the use of scientific evidence in policy making through networking talented African scientists with policy makers. It is expected that The AAS Fellows, Affiliates and grantees will be at the frontline in raising Africa’s STI profile, including emerging as influential scientists in Africa inspiring African governments to take the lead in funding science.
ABOUT AGENDA 2063
Agenda 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the concrete manifestation of how the continent intends to achieve this vision within a 50-year period from 2013 to 2063. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.
The genesis of Agenda 2063 was the realisation by African leaders that there was a need to refocus and reprioritise Africa’s agenda from the struggle against apartheid and the attainment of political independence for the continent which had been the focus of The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the African Union; and instead to prioritise inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues aimed at repositioning Africa to becoming a dominant player in the global arena.
Agenda 2063 seeks to deliver on a set of Seven Aspirations each with its own set of goals which if achieved will move Africa closer to achieving its vision for the year 2063. These 7 Aspirations reflect our desire for shared prosperity and well-being, for unity and integration, for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth are realised, and with freedom from fear, disease and want. (Read more...)