South Africa and Ethiopia are set to exchange knowledge on science and technology

Conversations regarding this prospective new cooperation are being heralded by the Ministries of Innovation and Technology, for both countries.

The objective of the discussion was to review recent efforts and set a route for future cooperation based on an agreement that the two countries had previously signed.

South Africa’s significant experience was emphasized by Baisa Bedada (PhD), State Minister of Innovation and Technology, who highlighted the country’s successful efforts in R&D, technology transfer, innovation, industrialization, human resource development, and cooperative infrastructure projects.

The Ethiopian side emphasized its commitment to science, technology, innovation, and digitalization to carry out a ten-year national plan for economic growth.

“They [the ministers] have pointed out that in the future they should focus on nanotechnology, space science and astronomy, material science, and human resources development; the African agenda 2063 should be done by coordinating Africans and focusing on indigenous technology,” the statement the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology, put up, stated partly.

The Ministry also added: “During the discussion, the two countries have reached an agreement to find and allocate a mutual fund to work together in the sector.”

Blade Nzimande (PhD), South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, as per a report from Fana Broadcasting, indicated that his country is ready to impart its experiences in a number of areas, such as bio-economy, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and space and astronomy, while also being receptive to Ethiopia’s innovations.

With a focus on essential areas such as nanotechnology, space science, material science, and human resource development, the talks underlined the need to advance African Agenda 2063 and the need for African countries to coordinate around indigenous innovations.