Addis Ababa, 10 February 2026 (ECA)- The African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA-NEPAD proudly marked a significant milestone with the official launch of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034) Implementation Plan. Heldduring the African Union Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Week 2026, the launch brought together policymakers, researchers, innovators and development partners from across the continent to operationalize Africa’s innovation-driven transformation over the coming decade.
Highlights of this year’s STI Week include the official launch of the STISA-2034 Implementation Plan; the unveiling of the EdTech 2030 Vision & Plan, a comprehensive blueprint aimed at advancing digital education across Africa; high-level policy dialogues on frontier and emerging technologies; and youth and innovation leadership conversations, among others.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) played a pivotal role in the development of STISA-2034, collaborating closely with the AUC and spearheaded a dedicated session on STISA-2034 during the 2025 7th African Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum to ensure the strategy reflects a common vision for utilising STI to drive sustainable and inclusive growth throughout Africa.
The implementation of STISA-2034 is grounded in several key pillars, including the strengthening of institutional frameworks, investment in research and human capital development, and the encouragement of regional and international cooperation. African Union member states are urged to develop national action plans aligned with STISA-2034, focusing on strategic sectors such as health, agriculture, energy and information technology. Capacity building remains a central focus of the strategy, with targeted training programmes, support for innovation hubs, and mobilisation of financial resources for science and technology projects. Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be established to track progress, share best practices, and address emerging challenges, ensuring the effective realisation of STISA-2034’s objectives.
ECA’s participation in the STI Week 2026 underscores its commitment to supporting the STISA-2034 Implementation Plan. “Our participation reflects a shared vision with the African Union to harness science, technology, and innovation as the backbone of Africa’s transformation under Agenda 2063, STISA-2034 represents a bold step towards realising Africa’s potential through science and innovation”, stated Mr. Robert Lisinge, Director Technology, Innovation, Connectivity, and Infrastructure Division.
For more information on STI Week 2026: https://www.au-apet.app/events/stiweek2026
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org