The African Innovation Roundtable: From Vision to Implementation – Mobilizing WAITRO African RTOs for STISA-2034 and Agenda 2063 Implementation Support, co-hosted by CSIR South Africa and WAITRO will bring together African Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs), policymakers, industry leaders, development agencies, innovation funders, and international partners to explore collaborative approaches for advancing Africa’s science, technology, and industrialisation agenda within the WAITRO.

Africa is increasingly positioning innovation as a driver of sustainable development, resilience, and competitiveness. The session will highlight priority areas including human and animal vaccines, public health and WASH, renewable energy, agro‑processing and food security, critical minerals beneficiation, advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, and Artificial Intelligence. Cross‑cutting enablers such as technology transfer, commercialisation, intellectual property management, innovation financing, human capital development and regulatory frameworks will also be addressed.

Through an interactive multi‑stakeholder roundtable, the session will strengthen partnerships between African and global innovation actors, foster strategic dialogue, and identify collaborative opportunities. It seeks to position African institutions not as beneficiaries, but as equal co‑creators of solutions to continental and global challenges.

Expected outcomes include actionable recommendations, strengthened collaborations among WAITRO African RTOs, and a shared vision and roadmap for Africa’s innovation future aligned with STISA 2034, Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals, and WAITRO’s global innovation mandate.

Speakers

• Prof. Brando Okolo — Head of STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) at AUDA-NEPAD (African Union Development Agency)
• Palesa Kganane — Senior Programme Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR South Africa)
• Prof. Mbang Sama — Global Head of Digitalization, Mercedes-Benz; Executive President, Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA)
• Dr. Michael Mbogoro  — Head of Technology Transfer Section, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• Tiyani Chauke — Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa
• Prof. Abuya Joshua — Director of Research & Innovation and Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Kibabii University, Kenya