EYES FRONT - AUDA-NEPAD hosts Grand Challenge Africa planning meeting
Grand Challenge Africa aims to scrutinize Africa’s infrastructure, platforms, and various other domains that can propel diverse developmental initiatives
LUSAKA, Zambia (Planet Defence) - The African Union Development Agency – NEPAD convened a three-day planning meeting from December 19 to 22, 2023, in Lusaka, Zambia to evaluate how several African countries are progressing in alignment with the objectives of Grand Challenges Africa, focusing on strategizing issues pertaining to science, technology, and innovation writes Sangwani Phiri.
These three areas remain integral to Africa's development and self-reliance, aiming to reduce dependence on advanced foreign technologies.
Professor Aggrey Ambali, AUDA-NEPAD’s Senior Head of Science, Technology, and Innovation, emphasized their organization's commitment to seeing Africa emerge as a hub for science and technology.
"AUDA-NEPAD is strongly dedicated to nurturing Africa into a leader in science and technology. We aim to promote science, technology, and innovation across African countries as part of the Grand Challenges Africa initiative, targeting initiatives that positively impact African lives," Ambali explained.
The initiative arose in response to numerous socio-economic challenges persisting across the continent. Issues such as inadequate energy, transportation, and water systems significantly hinder national development efforts in many African countries. According to Professor Ambali, AUDA-NEPAD acknowledges the major threats posed by food scarcity, insufficient electricity supply, and the overall lack of scientific and technological advancements at the national level.
Prof Ambali highlighted the success of the GCA initiative, gaining traction in several African countries like Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and Senegal. He expressed gratitude for the efforts of these countries in advancing the GCA initiative.
Sion Ndoria, an expert from the Science For Africa Foundation (SFAF), a financial arm of Grand Challenge programs in various countries based in Nairobi, Kenya, outlined the three core thematic areas of the SFAF initiative. These areas include global health security, agricultural advancements focused on biosafety and general security, and initiatives addressing environment-climate change adaptation with a focus on climate resilience.
"It's crucial for African nations to engage in such advanced initiatives championed by national science and technology commissions. This will lead to self-reliance on advanced technologies," Ndoria explained.
While these primary themes persist, Grand Challenge Africa also concentrates on fostering scientific development, enhancing the quantity and quality of scientific productivity in Africa, and establishing and governing sustainable science trends at the continental level within African member states.
Gift Kadzamira, representing Malawi at the meeting as the Director of the National Commission For Science and Technology (NCST), expressed gratitude to AUDA-NEPAD for spearheading the initiative, stating that it will empower numerous African countries, including Malawi, in advancing science, technology, and innovation. Kadzamira mentioned ongoing collaborations with higher education institutions to bolster various scientific activities for the advancement of Malawi.
"Malawi is aligning itself with science and technology fields to attract interested donors and reap the benefits of this initiative," Kadzamira added.
Grand Challenge Africa aims to scrutinize Africa’s infrastructure, platforms, and various other domains that can propel diverse developmental initiatives.
These endeavors align with advanced science, technology, and innovation, focusing on national initiatives within respective countries.
Picture : File photo PIDA week 2021 Nairobi, Kenya (Photo Planet Defence)
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