The ECOWAS Commission has organized the first ever Africa Research and Innovation Forum (FARI 2022) in collaboration with the Nigerian Government through the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMST&I) in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Research and Innovative Forum, which has the theme, “Science, Technology and Innovation for a more Competitive ECOWAS” reflects the numerous challenges in the World economy as member states of the ECOWAS look inwards for a better and brighter sub-region.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, welcomed all to the first edition of the African Forum for Research and Innovation (FARI) and expressed deep appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his government for their exemplary commitment and tireless efforts for the implementation of the sub-region’s priorities, especially in the areas of regional integration.
He stated that the theme of the forum was apt due to the contribution of Science, Technology, and Innovation to the development and competitiveness of our region.
“The triptych of science, technology and innovation is both a driving force for the structural transformation of economies and a factor of integration into the world economy. They play a key role in the achievement of many development objectives. Speaking of innovation, it is at the heart of knowledge-driven economies.
“It is essential to competitiveness and is one of the major drivers of economic growth, social welfare and adaptation to the environment. It is a factor in the modernisation of education systems, agricultural production, predictability of seasons, etc. and a potential source of job creation and poverty alleviation,” he said.
Stating the commitment of ECOWAS to technological innovation, the President explained that ECOWAS has through Article 27 of the Charter on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, the Directive (A./DIR. 1/06/12) on Science, Technology and Innovation and the Supplementary Act (A/SA.2/06/12) adopting the ECOWAS Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (ECOPOST) considered science and technology as a key area for growth and competitiveness of its Member States with FARI being part of Pillar 4 of the ECOWAS Vision 2050.
“The link between technological expertise and economic growth is quite clear. Harnessing new technologies increases productivity and improves employment prospects and the possibility of moving up the production value chain. Therefore, to be more competitive, expand trade and remove trade barriers, Africa, especially our region, needs to expand its knowledge and skill in science and technology. Building human capital in science and technology is key if our region aims to leverage its strengths.
According to him, investing in research and innovation can help to overcome this barrier by providing teachers with high-quality training and encouraging national and regional science and technology research at all levels of the education system.
“I welcome the creation by ECOWAS of the Research and Innovation Support Programme (PARI), which provides grants of 400,000 USD every year for regional research. The programme will strengthen regional cooperation in research through the creation of a consortium of multidisciplinary and multilingual researchers and will ensure succession in research through the training of young researchers,” he said.
He added that the forum would allow the youth to showcase their ideas and creativity through an exhibition of start-ups from ECOWAS Member States as well as discussions on important topics such as vision, the funding of science, technology and innovation, capacity building, issues related to artificial intelligence and Open Science, research and job creation.
The statement by the ECOWAS Commission said that Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, in his goodwill address at the event, commended the organisers for choosing such an appropriate theme given the numerous challenges in the world economy as the sub-region seek to understand the opportunities available and how we should look inwards for a better and brighter ECOWAS.
In the speech, which was delivered by his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Buhari said that Science, Technology and Innovation would provide opportunities for finding solutions to the myriad of challenges affecting our region and for researchers to network among themselves for a better future.
He added that Nigeria had long recognized STI as the driver of National development plan (2021-2025) and has given its youthful population the appropriate environment to achieve their dreams in innovation by passing legislation that governs and provides level -playing field via the Nigerian Start-up bill, which has been passed by our National Assembly. He promised Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the collaboration with STI experts, alongside the provision of technical advice, methodologies and guidance to ECOWAS member states as integral parts of their respective national development policies and plans.
In another goodwill message, the Director, Dakar Regional Office and OIC Abuja Regional Office, Dr. Dimitri Sanga, said that the clock was ticking for all countries, including those in Africa, to reach their Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
He added that countries are convinced that their future economic competitiveness will depend upon how quickly they transition to digital and green societies driven by Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). He expressed UNESCO commitment and support to ECOWAS Member States in their efforts to reform and upgrade national STI systems and governance which will ultimately lead to greater inclusivity and resilience through enhanced capacity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union 2063 Development Agenda.
More than 60 experts from 15 ECOWAS Member States, African and global organisations and institutions are participating in 12 discussion panels At the end of the Forum, there will be a declaration by the Ministers to guide the role of Science and Technology in building the competitiveness of our region.
The Forum, which opened on October 17, will end on Friday, October 21, 2022.
GIK/APA