The African Innovation Roundtable: Co‑Creating Africa’s Innovation Future 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.