Addis Ababa, April 26, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia has called for urgent and coordinated continental action to accelerate the implementation of Africa’s science, technology, and innovation agenda, emphasizing the need to move from policy dialogue to concrete results.
Opening the 8th African Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla, said Africa stands at a defining moment where innovation must be translated into coordinated and practical action to meet development targets under the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
“This is not a forum to merely reflect on Africa’s future. It is a platform to build it,” Belete said, stressing that the limited time remaining to 2030 requires urgency, discipline, and stronger continental cooperation.
He highlighted Ethiopia’s growing progress in artificial intelligence and health innovation as evidence of how science and technology can drive transformation when backed by visionary leadership and sustained policy commitment.
The Minister outlined Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy, describing it as a national framework aimed at building an inclusive, innovation-driven, and resilient digital economy. He noted ongoing reforms to strengthen legal and institutional systems to support digital transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Belete also pointed to the expansion of Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure, the rollout of national digital identification systems, and the rapid growth of digital financial transactions as key milestones reshaping service delivery and economic participation. He emphasized continued investment in youth digital skills development as central to preparing a future-ready workforce.
He further underscored Ethiopia’s efforts in green development, including electric mobility initiatives and large-scale environmental restoration programs, noting that innovation must align with sustainability goals.
According to the Minister, Ethiopia is also advancing public sector modernization through digital governance systems that integrate institutions and improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen access to services.
On emerging technologies, Belete highlighted Ethiopia’s engagement in artificial intelligence research and the peaceful application of nuclear science for development in energy, agriculture, and health sectors.
However, he stressed that innovation cannot be achieved in isolation, calling for stronger African cooperation, interoperable systems, and enhanced science diplomacy under continental frameworks such as STISA-2034.
“In today’s interconnected world, digital public infrastructure is not only a tool for development. It is a foundation of sovereignty,” he said, urging African countries to act as joint architects of a shared technological future.
Supporting this message, UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Executive Secretary Claver Gatete called for swift and decisive action, warning that Africa must move beyond its innovation potential to measurable performance.
He noted that despite accounting for nearly 20 percent of the global population, Africa contributes only 0.6 percent of global patent applications, describing this as a gap that must be urgently addressed.
UNESCO Representative to Ethiopia, Rita Bissoonauth, emphasized the importance of prioritizing science, technology, and innovation to close development gaps in key sectors such as water, energy, and industry. She called for stronger policy coherence, investment in youth and research, and responsible development of artificial intelligence.
She further noted that AI presents significant opportunities for Africa but must be guided by ethical principles and supported by strong local research capacity under the African Continental AI Strategy.
The forum is expected to continue discussions on strengthening Africa’s STI systems and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.