South
Africa's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade
Nzimande has concluded an official three-day visit to the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia. The visit sought to enhance Science, Technology, and
Innovation (STI) cooperation between the two nations while reinforcing the
broader STI agenda under the African Union (AU).
A
pivotal highlight of the visit was Minister Nzimande’s keynote address at the
AU/UNESCO Conference on STEM. Under the theme "Fostering STEM Innovation,
Entrepreneurship, and Engineering," the Minister noted the
urgent need to harness Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
as tools for advancing Africa’s socioeconomic development. He outlined South
Africa's experiences in leveraging STEM to drive innovation, foster
entrepreneurship, and address critical challenges in health, agriculture, and
infrastructure.
Minister
Nzimande also participated in the High-Level Dialogue on Ministerial Action to
Transform STEM in Africa, which brought together policymakers, researchers, and
educators to discuss strategies for building robust STEM ecosystems across the
continent. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of regional
collaboration, urging African nations to invest in capacity-building
initiatives, strengthen research institutions, and create opportunities for
young innovators.
The
visit also served as an opportunity to evaluate ongoing STI projects between
South Africa and Ethiopia. These projects, aligned with the AU’s Agenda 2063
aspirations, are focused on advancing sustainable development and addressing
challenges such as climate change, energy access, and food security.
"STEM
is the backbone of innovation and economic resilience. Our collective efforts
must aim to empower Africa's youth, strengthen research capacities, and foster
cross-border partnerships that yield tangible solutions for our people," said Minister Nzimande during his address.
The
discussions during the visit also touched on the integration of AU STI
initiatives, further aligning national and regional goals to drive Africa’s
development agenda. Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete
Molla, praised the partnership, highlighting its potential to accelerate
innovation-driven growth across the continent.
By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
