The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and Afreximbank, organized a Stakeholder Engagement and Dissemination Workshop on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) as a means for enhancing youth employability, entrepreneurship, and job creation in West Africa on 27 March 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria at the TetFund Headquarters. This event marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to use STI as a means to enhance youth employability, entrepreneurship, and job creation in Africa.

The workshop is set to achieve multifaceted objectives, including the dissemination of key findings on STI policy for youth development, fostering dynamic dialogue on innovation among stakeholders, discussing the next steps for funding youth-driven innovation, and developing recommendations for STI-driven youth solutions to address pressing societal challenges in Africa in the areas of agriculture, environment and climate change, health, energy, transport, and industry among others.

The research project that reviewed the policy and institutional landscape for technological innovation development in Africa with a view to enhance youth employability, entrepreneurship, and job creation has been ongoing since 2021 across eight African countries namely Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Immediate outputs include country specific Policy Briefs that have been tailored to addressing specific country needs with respect to enhancing youth employability, entrepreneurship, and job creation in the respective countries.

The Policy Briefs showcased some policy recommendations that can sustain youth employment through technological innovation development, deployment, and commercialization. They also serve as invaluable resources for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders alike, offering actionable recommendations and strategies for leveraging STI to address youth unemployment and foster economic growth. By distilling complex research findings into accessible formats, these briefs facilitate evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.

The Policy Briefs provides the following important information:

1. An in-depth understanding of the STI policy and institutional landscape in the selected countries.
2. Insights into the critical role of STI in youth development, employability, and entrepreneurship.
3. Identification of challenges and barriers hindering youth participation in STI initiatives.
4. Recommendations for policy interventions and investment strategies to promote youth-led innovation and job creation.

These Policy Briefs are instrumental in shaping the discourse around STI and youth empowerment, paving the way for transformative change across the continent. As such, they represent a vital step towards mainstreaming youth in STI policies, fostering innovation ecosystems, and unlocking the full potential of Africa’s burgeoning youth population.

To access these Policy Briefs and learn more about the projects, please visit the ATPS website at: https://atpsnet.org/technopolicy-briefs/. Stay tuned for further updates on this landmark project and dissemination workshop, as we continue our mission to harness STI as a means for sustainable development in Africa.

For further information, please contact Prof. Nicholas Ozor, Executive Director, African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) at: executivedirector@atpsnet.org or call +254 020 2714092 and visit our website at: https://atpsnet.org/