ADDIS ABABA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) on Friday launched three reports on emerging technologies that are beleived to help drive Africa's sustainable socio-economic and structural transformation.
In cordination with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Agency and the AU Commission, APET advises AU on current and emerging technologies to enable Africa's science base to be competitive and contribute to achieving the goals of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2014-2024.
The reports, which were lauched at the Africa Innovation Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, focus on malaria control and elimination, increasing Africa's agricultural productivity and enhancing Africa's energy security, according to a joint by statement by AU and NEPAD on Friday.
Stating that there are advancements of modern technologies in robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science and artificial intelligence, among others, the statement underilined the need to harnness the opportunity to advance Africa's socio-economic development agenda and position the continent as a frontrunner in the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Recognizing the role of science, technology and innovation, the APET has identified three emerging technologies that have the potential to benefit Africa; Gene Drives for Malaria Control and Elimination in Africa; Drones on the Horizon: Transforming Africa's Agriculture; and Micro-grids: Empowering Communities and Enabling Transformation in Africa.
Speaking during the official launch of th reports, the APET Chairperson, Yaye Gassama Dia, emphasized the need to strengthen regulatory systems in order to ensure timely access and effectiveness of these technologies for Africa's economic development.
She also stated that there are perceived risks associated with these technologies and further research is encouraged with full participation of African scientists, policy makers, with active engagement of the target communities.
"Advances in science, technology and innovation, particularly in gene technology, big data, artificial intelligence and robotics, offer unprecedented opportunities to speed up Africa's development and transformation process," Yaye said, "High-tech, reliable technologies at affordable cost, exist to address many problems in agriculture, energy production and health."
The Africa Innovation Summit has been held over the last three days, from June 6 to 8 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The three reports are expected to serve as valuable resource in unpacking emerging technologies and building a culture of science, technology and innovation in Africa, acording to the statement.
