Leading African institutions today kicked off a summit in Nairobi aimed at embedding science, technology, innovation and evidence-based decision-making at the core of the continent’s development strategies.
The inaugural Evidence for Development Conference, hosted by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation, and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), gathered over 300 delegates from more than 31 African nations.
Attendees include high-ranking government officials, researchers, civil society leaders, private sector stakeholders, and youth innovators—all united under the theme: “Optimising the Role of Data, Evidence, and Innovations in Africa’s Efforts to Create Wealth, Empower Citizens, and Foster Responsive Governance.”
The three-day summit, happening from 6th to 8th May in Nairobi, serves as a platform to align Africa’s development goals with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through a focus on data for evidence in policy making and innovation for Africa development.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Roselida Owuor, Director of Research Science and technology at Kenya’s Ministry of Education, who represented Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba underscored the importance of investing in science and education.
“Data, evidence and innovation are not mere buzzwords. They are lights for sustainable development which allow us to identify challenges, assign effective policies and allocate resources effectively,” she stated.
She also highlighted the persistent challenges of poor data quality and underinvestment in education systems, urging governments to address these issues head-on.
While, Hon. Dr. Jessie Kabwila, Minister of Higher Education Malawi issued a clarion call for increased spending on research, academic institutions, and the continent’s knowledge ecosystem.
“Africa’s higher education enrolment stands at around 9percent, compared to a global average of 38percent. Our research infrastructure is often inadequate, and many of our brightest minds leave the continent due to limited opportunities,” she noted, stressing that reversing these trends is essential to preparing Africa’s 21st-century workforce.
Prof Brando Okolo, Senior Advisor for Science, Technology, and Innovation at AUDA-NEPAD, cautioned that evidence must also be scrutinized for accuracy and integrity.
“As we craft evidence-based policies, we must remember that true progress depends not just on having evidence, but on ensuring its truth,” he said, adding that this integrity will be foundational to shaping Africa’s future.
Prof Berhanu Abegaz, AUDA-NEPAD African Union High Level Panel on Emerging Technology (APET) said that APET surveyed 50 emerging technologies and selected 10 from gene drives, artificial intelligence,microgrids, drones for presicion agriculture, next generation medicine, urban agriculture, synthetic biology (gene editing, 3D printing, next generation batteries and water purification.
“The panel has analysed gene drives for control and elimination of malaria,drones for improving agricultural productivity and microgrids and published outcomes in report endorsed by African Union Head of states and government at the 2018 AU summit,” he said adding that “APET seeks to provide a set of tools for governments to interpret the current and potential role of innovation and emerging technologies currently play in sustainable development on the African continent.”
Dr. Eliya Zulu, Executive Director of AFIDEP, pointed to the transformative potential of evidence-informed governance in curbing corruption and inefficiency.
“Every year, billions of dollars are lost through mismanagement, inefficiencies, and outright theft,” he said.
He added: “Research shows that corruption costs the continent over $140 billion annually. That is more than enough to finance critical sectors such as education and healthcare.”
The evidence for Development (Evi4Dev) conference is poised to generate actionable recommendations for African policymakers and institutions on how to better integrate scientific research and innovation into national planning, budgeting, and implementation frameworks. By centering data and evidence in governance, the conveners hope to foster more inclusive, prosperous, and accountable societies across Africa.
Dr Tom Kariuki, CEO of SFA Foundation, who gave the keynote address, urged stakeholders to harness evidence and technologies like AI in sectors like healthcare, education, wealth creation, climate change and governance to leapfrog Africa’s development agenda through reducing fragmentation, enhancing productivity and efficiency, and sustainable adaptation.
“Transformative change doesn’t happen in silos; it demands collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and borders to unlock the full value of data, evidence, and innovation for the continent. I believe that all of us here, and the institutions we each represent, are united in the belief that Africa can and must lead in defining the next frontier of evidence-informed development. But this cannot be done in isolation. We need funders, governments, researchers, communities, and the private sector to join us—not as stakeholders, but as co-owners.”
