"A leader in data analysis, innovation, and technology to support the incubation of innovative programs on the continent in the dynamics of the 4th industrial revolution," is how the AU Centre of Excellence for Science, Technology, and Innovation (AUDa) presents itself on its website. In other words, the institution positions itself as a hub to catalyze scientific research, technological development, and innovation in Africa. Its goal is to stimulate economic growth, address local challenges, and contribute to the empowerment of African communities through the effective use of science and technology.
Directed by Dr. Olalekan Akinbo, the Center's innovations foster local initiatives for scaling and commercialization, thereby supporting the implementation of Agenda 2063 in AU member states.
"AUDa aims to position Africa as a major player in the global arena of science and technology"
The center collaborates with researchers, academic institutions, businesses, and governments to create an ecosystem conducive to the emergence of innovative solutions. By focusing on cutting-edge research, tailored policy development, and the promotion of technological entrepreneurship, AUDa aims to position Africa as a major player in the global field of science and technology.
On its roadmap, the Center undertakes various actions. In the field of research and development, it funds and supports innovative research projects in various areas, such as renewable energy, health, smart agriculture, and information technologies.
The Center also participates in capacity building, organizing training and education programs for scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to enhance skills and foster innovation.
AUDa encourages collaboration with international institutions, facilitating knowledge exchange, best practices sharing, and resource mobilization for large-scale projects.
To encourage creativity and innovation, the center organizes hackathons, competitions, and events that bring together bright minds to solve concrete problems.
Similarly, it plays an active role in formulating policies favorable to science, technology, and innovation by working with governments and regional organizations.
Finally, the center supports the creation and growth of technology enterprises by providing resources, mentorship, and access to professional networks.
A key driver of progress in Africa
The AUDa Centre of Excellence continues to position itself as a key driver of progress in Africa. By focusing on innovation, cutting-edge research, and capacity building, it significantly contributes to achieving the continent's sustainable development goals. The center remains a source of inspiration for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, fostering a promising future for Africa in the field of science and technology.
The Center provides technical support to member states and regional economic communities on policy and investment choices in science, technology, and emerging adaptive innovations to accelerate the implementation of economic growth and development initiatives on the continent. The Center of Excellence has so far identified thirty-three innovations from R&D institutions and networks in specific response to expressed needs at the member state level.
The Center strives to engage various stakeholders, including actors at the national level and potential investment funding partners, with a focus on scaling and commercializing innovations in an initial specific set of countries.
The AUDA-NEPAD CoE-STI operates within a quadripartite agreement within AUDA-NEPAD, the Department of Science and Innovation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and Stellenbosch University.
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is the technical branch of the African Union (AU) mandated to coordinate and execute regional and continental priority projects for regional integration, strengthen the capacities of AU member states and regional organizations in development themes, and engage development stakeholders and partners.
Capacity building is centered on broad thematic areas such as economic integration, industrialization, environmental sustainability, technology, innovation, digitization, knowledge management, human capital, and institutional development. The AU has established five centers of excellence that are an integral part of the implementation structures of AUDA-NEPAD.
It is within this framework that the Center supported the Ethiopian Institute of Biotechnologies and Emerging Technologies (BETin) to develop a national communication strategy on genome editing validated in early 2023.
