The Government of Kenya has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to strengthening science, technology, and innovation (STI) as vital drivers of sustainable development and economic transformation.
Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba delivered the message on behalf of President William Ruto during the official opening of the ARISE-SD Scientific Conference at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.
In his keynote address, CS Ogamba extended President Ruto’s warm greetings to the Government and people of Ghana and expressed Kenya’s appreciation to the African Academy of Sciences, African Union Commission, and the European Union for organizing the high-level forum.
He urged African nations to renew their commitment to investing in science and research, highlighting the continent’s continued underinvestment in research and development. “We committed to spending 1% of our GDP on R&D, yet the continental average is just 0.42%, far below the global average of 1.7%. We must reverse this trend,” he said.
Kenya’s recent strides in STI development were underscored, including the creation of a dedicated State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, and plans to increase STI funding from 0.7% to 1% of GDP in line with African Union recommendations.
CS Ogamba emphasized the necessity of continental collaboration and global partnerships to scale innovation and solve shared challenges. “Africa holds some of the world’s greatest endowments – a youthful population, arable land, rich biodiversity, but these alone are not enough. We must invest in applied knowledge,” he noted.
He cited Kenya’s success stories, such as mobile money innovations, climate-smart agriculture, and food security solutions, as evidence that STI investment yields transformative outcomes.
Reinforcing Kenya’s role as a champion of African-led research, CS Ogamba announced the country’s willingness to host the next edition of the ARISE-SD conference, underlining its commitment to nurturing home-grown scientific excellence.
He concluded by urging all stakeholders to align their actions with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024–2034. “Let us forge a bold, African-owned, globally connected pact, grounded in action, driven by science, and centered on the dignity and prosperity of our people.”
Written By Rodney Mbua
