Southern African Development Community (SADC) presented a draft report on implementation of the SADC Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) during the Strengthening Research and Innovation Management II (SRIM II) Country Focal Point meeting on the margins of the Science Forum in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa on the 6 December 2023. The objective of the meeting was to promote connection and cooperation between research and innovation management practitioners, institutions and other role players within the SADC research and innovation ecosystem.
The aim of the presentation was to shed light on the extent to which SADC Member States have effectively implemented the Protocol on Science, Technolog and Innovation (STI). Additionally, to streamline and evaluate data provided by Member States regarding the progress of implementing the Protocol within their respective nations. Another key objective of the report was to provide comprehensive guidance for the review of the STI Protocol.
In his presentation, Mr Reaboka Morakabi, Programme Officer for Science, Technology and Innovation at SADC Secretariat, highlighted the main factors that have favourably contributed to the domestication and implementation of the Protocol on STI in Member States, which are:
Political will and stability in Member States
Creation of responsible set ups (Departments, Agencies) mechanisms and systems for promoting and coordinating STI by SADC countries
Existence of policies, legislation, regulations, and national development frameworks on STI, that have, among others contributed to the domestication of the Protocol on STI with the Member States
Member States interest to work on issues of regional integration in the region
Creation of public awareness and engagement by Member States
Construction of good infrastructure, such as in transport and information and communication technology
Signing multi and bilateral cooperation regionally and internationally and participation in regional and international affairs, and
Member States increasing their individual budgets for STI investments
SRIM II is a three-year programme which started on 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2024, and has been coordinated by the SADC Secretariat with Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) as the implementing partner and seeding funding support and contribution provided by Department of Science and Innovation of the Republic of South Africa.
