Mirian Gom 
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – African countries must urgently harness science and technology or risk falling behind in a rapidly changing global economy, a senior United Nations official has warned.
The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, said innovation is critical to driving growth, job creation and competitiveness across the continent.
Speaking at the Eighth African Science, Technology and Innovation Forum, Gatete warned that global shifts — including artificial intelligence and biotechnology — are redefining productivity.
“The margin for delay has disappeared and the cost of inaction is rising,” he said.
He noted that Africa’s internet penetration stood at about 36 per cent in 2025, while the continent accounted for just 0.6 per cent of global patent applications, highlighting significant gaps in digital access and innovation capacity.
Gatete urged governments to invest in digital infrastructure, including identity systems and data platforms, while building skills in science, engineering and emerging technologies.
He also emphasised the importance of regional integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, which he said could help scale innovation and expand markets.
The ECA chief stressed that reliable energy supply remains essential for digital transformation, warning that weak infrastructure could undermine progress.
He called for stronger coordination across sectors and countries to ensure innovation translates into tangible economic benefits.
“Africa must position itself not just as a consumer of technology, but as a contributor to global innovation,” he said.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
Korede Abdullah 