African leaders rally behind science and innovation amidst foreign aid cuts

As foreign funding for several African nations faces significant reductions, the continent’s leaders and development partners are doubling down on the power of science, technology, and innovation to drive Africa’s growth using its own rich resources.

Speaking at the launch of the inaugural Evidence for Development Conference in Nairobi, delegates expressed renewed optimism about Africa’s ability to chart its own development path by embracing evidence-based strategies, even in the face of dwindling international financial support.

The three-day conference, which attracted over 300 delegates from more than 25 African countries, focused on the centrality of data, research, and innovation in transforming governance, creating wealth, and improving citizen well-being.

The event is a joint initiative by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation, and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP).

While acknowledging the challenges posed by reduced external funding, speakers viewed the development as a catalyst for increased domestic resource mobilization and more efficient use of local assets.

“Inadequate investments and poor data quality are challenges that we must confront head-on,” said Mr. Julius Migos Ogamba, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, in a statement delivered by Dr. Roselida Owuor, Director of Research Development at the Ministry of Education. “Data, evidence, and innovation are not just buzzwords—they are beacons for sustainable development. They help us identify challenges, inform decisions, and guide effective policy-making and resource allocation.”

The conference highlighted concerning statistics: Africa invests just 0.5% of its GDP in research and development, compared to the global average of 2.2%. Additionally, higher education enrollment across the continent stands at roughly 9%, far below the global average of 38%.

Dr. Jessie Kabwila, Malawi’s Minister of Higher Education, emphasized the urgency of investing in research institutions and knowledge systems to build a skilled 21st-century workforce. “We must invest in our intellectual infrastructure. Without it, Africa risks losing its brightest minds to better-resourced countries,” she warned.

The importance of evidence integrity was underscored by Prof. Brando Okolo, Senior Advisor for Science, Technology and Innovation at AUDA-NEPAD. “As we craft evidence-based policies, we must ensure the validity of the data we rely on. The future we build depends on it,” he said.

Dr. Eliya Zulu, Executive Director of AFIDEP, drew attention to the cost of inefficiency and corruption, stating, “Corruption drains over $140 billion from Africa annually. That amount alone could transform education and healthcare. We must use evidence to identify leaks and strengthen accountability.”

In a powerful keynote, Dr. Tom Kariuki, CEO of the SFA Foundation, urged stakeholders to harness emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to leapfrog Africa’s development. “Transformative change doesn’t happen in silos. We need collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and borders to unlock the full value of data, evidence, and innovation.”

He added, “Africa must lead in shaping the next frontier of evidence-informed development. But this will require not just stakeholders, but true co-owners—from funders and governments to researchers and communities.”

The conference also reaffirmed commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2034. These frameworks aim to position science and innovation as engines of growth, competitiveness, and improved quality of life.

Held under the theme “Optimising the Role of Data, Evidence, and Innovations in Africa’s Efforts to Create Wealth, Empower Citizens, and Foster Responsive Governance”, the conference is expected to conclude with actionable recommendations for strengthening Africa’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystems.

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