Africa is facing multiple crises now that are likely to deepen both in their frequency and severity in the near future. These include, emerging health challenges (as highlighted by COVID-19 pandemic and other viral outbreaks), climate crisis, the soaring energy and food prices and the unemployment dilemma, among other, that collectively are fueling political, social and environmental instability. Innovations in energy and water are likely to have profound impact in creating employments, empowering communities to live healthier, address environmental challenges and reduce the prices of goods and services and improve security of communities.
The fifth African Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Forum will be held from 26 to 27 February 2023, in a hybrid format, in Niamey, Niger under the theme: “Accelerating development and diffusion of emerging technologies for a green, inclusive and resilient Africa” with a special focus on Sustainable Development Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation); 7 (affordable and clean energy); 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure); 11 (sustainable cities and communities); and 17 (partnerships for the Goals) and the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063. For this call, the focus is on SDG 6 and 7 given their importance to Africa in the face of climate change and their relevance in meeting all the other key SDGs in Africa.
Progress towards the attainment of universal access to affordable, clean and safe water and energy in Africa could profoundly accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. It will also hep overcome the multiple crises facing Africa such as, emerging health challenges (as highlighted by COVID-19 pandemic and other viral outbreaks), climate crisis, the soaring energy and food prices; and the high unemployment dilemma, among others. Scientific and technological advances are driving innovations in energy and water that promise to create employments, empower communities to live healthier and happier lives, address environmental challenges and reduce the prices of goods and services, among others.
Why You Should Be Involved?
You innovation may save a life or enhance the livelihood of others if shared. Sharing your innovation with the world could help you find and attract partners, and bring investment in your entity. In addition, ECA and its partners will support you to find knowledge and market partners that could support you improve your design, production and marketing processes. You will get the opportunity to work and learn from some of the smartest and brightest minds in Africa and beyond, providing you with valuable mentorship and guidance to turn your proposed solution into a viable one.
Eligibility Criteria
- This call in open to all people of all ages, gender and backgrounds, in public and private sector as well as in formal and informal entities. Each entity or person may submit ONE innovation that addresses water and energy. For this call, only innovations in Renewable Energy that advance the design, production and manufacturing of batteries, solar and wind products as well as those that advance innovation in sustainable water solutions. As such, simple solutions that extract underground water (e.g. boreholes) or basic energy solutions (e.g. improved charcoal stoves) may NOT be accepted.
- Beyond these generalities, the following criteria need to be met:
- The innovative solution must target a specific challenge that an identifiable entity (e.g. a firm, public institution, community) in your country is facing now, or an emerging challenge that threatens to derail sustainable development (e.g. in terms of health, education, technology etc) in the near future.
- For this call, the entity submitting the innovation should either be the owner or senior partner in the entity submitting the innovation. DO NOT copy or submit innovations of others even with their express permission.
- Evidence of utility from a current user or potential user will be welcome (e.g. a note or letter of support) and will be an advantage.
For more information, visit United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
