African innovation outlook II: final report

Abstract

As indicted in this Outlook, ASTII has stimulated AU member states to start developing STI indicators. It has enabled some countries to start conducting R&D and innovation surveys and to build national capacities for indicators to inform STI policy formulation and review. AU member states have made strides to create better knowledge and understanding of the value of STI indicators and are moving towards institutionalising ASTII through national focal points. We commend the numerous AU member states that have invested their resources in implementing the ASTII programme and we encourage those AU members that have not yet moved in this direction to do likewise. We also commend the role that CeSTII of the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa continues to play in providing skills training to other English speaking AU member states and sharing its experience of STI measurement in Africa. We cannot forget the contributions of experts from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS); the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST); and the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) in Nigeria in sharing their experiences on STI indicators with their peers on the ASTII project and in technical meetings. It is through this kind interaction and collaboration that Africa will be able to develop indigenous capabilities to address African STI-specific problems crucial for the socioeconomic transformation of the continent.