Keynote on the CPA Review Process Evolution

Keynote on the CPA Review Process

Evolution of the CPA • Consolidates science and technology programmes of the AU • Guiding policy document for STI in Africa • Re-affirms commitment to collective action in developing S&T for meeting development needs • Articulates Africa’s common objective of socio-economic transformation and full integration into the world economy

Evolution of the CPA • Participatory • Evolved from a consultative process –Multi-sectoral stakeholder meetings and conferences at continental and regional level from 2003 to 2005 • Approved by the AMCOST in 2005 • Endorsed by the AU summit in 2005

Pillars of the CPA • Built upon three interrelated conceptual pillars of: • capacity building • knowledge production, and • technological innovation

Components of the CPA • Flagship research and development programmes • Improving policy conditions and building innovation mechanisms • Implementation, funding and governance

Implementation arrangements • Implementation at different levels – Continental Programmes – Sub-Regional Programme – National Programmes

Implementation Progress • Promotion of innovation –Establishment of biosciences, mathematical sciences, water sciences, lesser technology … centers of excellence –Regional R&D flagship programmes have been implemented through the COE with some showing promising results –Training of African young scientists through COE and African Universities –Implementation of the book of light house projects (call for research grants currently running) –Establishment of the Pan-African University

Implementation Progress • Improving policy conditions and building innovation mechanisms –The publication of the first Africa Innovation Outlook through ASTII with MS taking a lead –The Establishment of the Africa Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory following the 2009 AU summit decision –Support provided to MS in the development of S&T policies /plans (through UNESCO)

Why should the CPA be reviewed? • The CPA outlines the initial timeframe for project implementation • Need for reflection before moving further into the second phase of implementation – Taking on board emerging challenges e. g. environmental and climate change and its implications on Africa’s population – health, food security … – Emerging technologies – acquisition of technologies to meet economic growth needs – Technology transfer – Technology waste management – implications on the environment

Why should the CPA be for reflection on reviewed? • Review critical – Achievements – Approach: Multi-sectoral? Private sector, universities – How are we moving through the innovation cycle? • Drawing lessons and applying them in improving the future: Things we could have done better • Other models that have worked else where

Why should the CPA be reviewed? • Alignment of the CPA to other sectoral policy framework • Ensuring value addition and complementarities – Frameworks developed at the same time, silent of each other • STI is cross-cutting • It’s contribution to the other frameworks to be clearly defined for achieving development goals

Areas of focus in the CPA review Areas of Focus Flagship R&D programmes Objectives To take stock of technological innovations and movement of discoveries to product development and delivery (Private sector involvement and entrepreneurship) New technologies Opportunities and Bottlenecks

Areas of focus in the CPA review (2) Areas of Focus Objectives Improving policy conditions and institutions Institutional and policy arrangements to enable: - Mobilization and sharing of recourses for STI - Link industry and STI -REC engagement in the implementation of the CPA -STI policy training in African Tertiary institutions - Promotion of STI in schools

Areas of focus in the CPA review Areas of focus Objective Financial and Funding: Institutional landscape, Current funding mechanisms and governance the way ahead Implementation arrangement - Sustainability of established networks of COE - Effectiveness and efficiency of current implementation mechanisms - Lessons learnt and the way ahead

Review process • Will use both primary and secondary data • Consultations with – AMCOST members – RECs – Implementing institutions (at regional and national levels) – Regional and international partners – Tertiary education institutions – Representative of the private sector • Reviews of existing documents/reports

Expected outputs • A report on the progress made in the implementation of the CPA • Amended CPA endorsed by AMSOCT based on lesson learnt and recommendations of the high level panel

What has been done so far? • Consultations have been done with: – Previous AMCOST SC members and arrangements to consult with the current chair and more members of the SC are underway – Consultations with key implementing institutions started – Working group has been constituted – Funding for the review process secured

Next steps • Continued consultations with AMCOST SC members and key implementing institutions • Consultations with RECs • Constituting high level panel • Stakeholder consultation meetings • Drafting report and making recommendations to AMCOST • Process expected to be finalized by October 2012

Moving together in defining the New Deal in STI in Africa!! Thank you!!