Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Bright Msaka SC, has called on African countries to move beyond policy formulation and accelerate the implementation of continental commitments in education, science, technology and innovation to drive sustainable development.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday during the Ministerial Session of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committee on Education, Science and Technology (STC-EST), Msaka said Africa’s development would increasingly depend on its ability to equip young people with relevant skills and translate scientific research into productive economic opportunities.
As outgoing Chairperson of the Fifth Bureau of STC-EST, Msaka said the continent has made significant progress in strengthening its policy frameworks, including the AU Decade of Education and Skills Development 2025–2034, which places human capital at the centre of Africa’s transformation agenda.
Despite these achievements, he observed that inadequate financing, skills mismatches, climate change and global instability continued to undermine Africa’s efforts to fully realise its development aspirations.
Msaka therefore emphasised the need for stronger solidarity among Member States, sustainable financing, accountability and effective implementation of policies to ensure that education, science and innovation translated into tangible development outcomes.
He further stressed the importance of investing in young people through strengthened education systems, skills development and research that responds to Africa’s economic and social needs.
According to Msaka, Africa’s greatest resource remained its people, making education one of the continent’s most enduring investments. He noted that the continent’s future competitiveness would depend on its ability to harness knowledge, skills, science and innovation.
He urged African countries to remain united and committed to implementing agreed policies, particularly those aimed at creating opportunities for young people, women and future generations.
The Sixth Ordinary Session of STC-EST is being held under the theme, “Accelerating Africa’s Human Capital and Innovation: Resilient Education, Science, and Technology Systems for the AU Decade of Action (2025–2034).”
The meeting provides a platform for African ministers and senior officials to review progress in implementing continental frameworks, identify challenges and agree on priorities for accelerating human capital development and innovation.
Among the key areas under discussion are foundational learning, teacher development, digital transformation, technical and vocational education and training, science, technology, research, innovation and sustainable financing.
The session is also expected to strengthen alignment among Member States in implementing continental frameworks, including the Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2026–2035, the Continental TVET Strategy 2025–2034 and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034.
The meeting has attracted ministers from several African countries, including Libya, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Angola, who are attending physically, alongside other ministers participating virtually.
A total of 34 Member States are participating in the meeting out of the African Union’s 48 Member States, while development partners, including the African Development Bank, the United Nations and the European Union, are also contributing to the deliberations.
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