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African Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (Second Session)

Monday, February 24, 2020, Victoria Falls
High-Level Policy Dialogue on Emerging Technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution as tools for scaling up Action | Monday, 24 February 2020

Emerging technologies that underpin the fourth industrial revolution are transforming every aspect of society and redefining industrialization, education and development strategies. Countries are investing heavily in building new skills and new supply and value chains. While the advances in technologies promise to enhance efficiency and productivity, their contribution to economic and social development and environmental gains are not fully understood. The fourth industrial revolution may increase various forms of inequalities within and among countries, communities and different groups – creating winners and losers. Currently, only a handful of African countries have developed national strategies or began discussion on technologies that underpin the fourth industrial revolution.

Panellists will draw on the national, regional and international experiences to address among others: 1) How should African industrial strategies be tailored to ensure they are ready for emerging technologies and fourth industrial revolution? 2) How can Africa best build the human, industrial and governance capacities needed to harness emerging technologies? 3) What role should education, research and development institutions and private sector play? 5) Where are the best opportunities for Africa and how can African countries set their priorities? 6) In the face of multiple technologies and their interdependencies, and given limited capacity in national government departments, how can African countries design integrated national or regional strategies that address the needs of emerging technologies, that are inclusive?

  • Prof. Joyce Ndalichako, Minister of Education, Science, Technology, United Republic of Tanzania & Sector Chair of SADC
  • Mr. Alexander Trepelkov, Officer-in-Charge, Division for Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs
  • Joshua Setipa, Managing Director, United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries
  • Dr Sibongiseni Thotsejane, Representative from the Fourth Industrial Revolution Presidential Commission, South Africa
  • Dr Moses Cho, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa

Moderator: Mr Imraan Patel, Deputy Director-General: Socio-Economic Partnerships, Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa

Rapporteur: Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa 12:20- 13:00 Open Innovation to Accelerate Knowledge Sharing, Innovation and Developm

2/24/2020
11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
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