The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa leaders, during the 16th summit of heads of state and government last month in Uganda, reaffirmed the importance of science and technology in today’s world.
The Comesa innovation council will set up measures to harness new and existing knowledge and advice member states on how best to apply them.
In a bid to further promote a technological revolution in the region, the summit also authorised the establishment of an annual innovation award that would cover all sectors but was expected to initially focus on women and youth categories.
The region will soon see the establishment of science and technology parks along with artisan and industrial clusters to encourage innovation among individuals and small and medium size enterprises.
A Comesa regional innovation fund has also been set up to boost research and help add value to products.
Member states will from next year be expected to set up national innovation funds each with an initial amount of $1 million to create entrepreneurial ecosystems that can be networked at a regional level through trade.
Kenya, Swaziland, Malawi, Sudan and Egypt have already offered their ICT centres and parks to the regional body to share their research to foster growth and enhance trade.
The trade block recently adopted a new IT system aimed at cutting down the tariff barriers and reduce the coast of doing trade within the region.
The Comesa Virtual Trade Facilitation System (CVTFS) integrates systems used by regional revenue authorities, transporters, shippers, clearing agents, ports and customs to provide real-time information and facilitate uninterrupted movement of goods across borders.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Sandra Chao
Quelle/Source: Africa Review, 24.12.2012
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