Kenya among 12 African states to benefit from science, technology initiative

Kenya is among 12 countries set to benefit from a new initiative that is aimed at strengthening science, technology and innovation in Africa.

The Science and Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa will offer opportunity to member states to boost their science systems to support national and regional development. Although many African countries still face major hurdles in funding research, the Government expressed its commitment in supporting the initiative.

“I wish to affirm the Government’s support to this noble cause, as we collectively strive to turn Africa into a global giant in science, technology and innovation,” said Education, Science and Technology Cabinet Secretary, Jacob Kaimenyi, during the two-day forum launch.

He observed that significant challenges facing Africa could be overcome with proper focus and home grown solutions. Kenya in 2013 enacted the Science, Technology and Innovation Act in line with the Constitution and the goals it set out in the Vision 2030 blue print.

“This law seeks to facilitate the promotion, coordination and regulation of the progress of science, technology and innovation of the country and entrench science, technology and innovation into the national production system,” said  Kaimenyi in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry’s Senior Deputy Secretary, Elymaryta Khaoya.

United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) representative, Lisa Phillips, said the five-year initiative will improve the Council’s internal research management processes.

Problem solving

Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Vice President, Stephen McGurk, said his organisation recognises the important role of the Council to ensure science is applied in solving problems and promoting economic growth.

The new initiative aims to manage research, use science, technology and innovation to design and monitor research programmes and support knowledge exchange with the private sector. It also seeks to establish partnership with other science system actors.

Kenya currently allocates approximately two per cent (Sh100 billion) of its annual gross domestic product to research and development.

The initiative is jointly funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, Canada’s International Development Research Centre and South Africa’s National Research Foundation.