KEY POINTS
- South Africa and Ethiopia advance cooperation in science, technology, and innovation to drive sustainable African growth.
- Joint funding was established for innovation projects, focusing on nanotechnology, space science, and materials engineering.
- Partnership aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, supporting regional integration and local technological capabilities.
South Africa and Ethiopia are advancing talks to deepen their cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, with both nations’ Ministries of Innovation and Technology at the forefront of these efforts.
The initiative, as reported by Business Insider Africa, seeks to build on a previous agreement, revisiting past achievements and identifying new areas for collaboration aimed at driving sustainable growth.
Technology transfer and strategic innovation
Baisa Bedada, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Innovation and Technology, highlighted South Africa’s wealth of experience in research and development, industrialization, and technology transfer. He emphasized that South Africa’s leadership in human resource development and large-scale infrastructure projects could provide invaluable support for Ethiopia’s growth aspirations.
Ethiopia is committed to harnessing science and technology as pillars of its long-term economic development plan. Digitalization and innovation are positioned at the heart of this strategy, aiming to transform the nation into a technological hub.
The Ministry of Innovation and Technology further stressed the importance of focused cooperation in emerging fields such as nanotechnology, space science, and materials engineering, aligning these endeavors with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 to foster regional integration and bolster local technological capabilities.
Funding and collaborative growth
To further cement their partnership, South Africa and Ethiopia have agreed to establish a joint fund to finance collaborative projects, ensuring mutual support in advancing technological innovation. South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Blade Nzimande, expressed his country’s readiness to share expertise in key sectors like bio-economy, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. Nzimande also indicated a keen interest in exploring Ethiopia’s own innovations.
As discussions continue, the two nations are prioritizing key technological areas that will not only benefit their bilateral relations but also support Africa’s broader development agenda. This collaboration stands as a model for sustainable growth, leveraging indigenous innovation to fuel the continent’s future economic trajectory.
