Addis Ababa, Ethiopia · 28 November 2024 — UNESCO and the African Union Commission (AUC) concluded a landmark Continental Conference on Transforming Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Africa, bringing together policymakers, educators, researchers, and development partners to forge a continent-wide strategic partnership for a transformative STEM ecosystem.
Held from 26 to 28 November 2024 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, the conference was aligned with the African Union's 2024 theme, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century." The event addressed the urgent need for inclusive policies and strategic investments to close the skills gap, as the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 indicated that Africa will require an additional 23 million STEM graduates by 2030.
A High-Level Gathering for Continental Action
The conference opened with remarks from Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa at UNESCO, who outlined UNESCO's strategic engagement with Africa through the Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2022–2029. Mr. Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), emphasized the need to overcome institutional barriers by fostering innovation hubs that bring together academia, industry, and government.
H.E. Professor Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation at the African Union, framed the stakes clearly:
"STEM education is not merely an academic endeavour but a catalytic force for sustainable development."
The high-level plenary featured two key dialogues. The first, "Accelerating Africa's STEM Transformation," convened ministers to discuss the future of Africa's STEM ecosystem and strategies required to realize this vision within the next decade. The second, "Leveraging Partnerships to Transform STEM in Africa," brought together development partners to deliberate on mobilizing resources, sharing expertise, and fostering collaborations to propel STEM transformation.
The STEM Experience Hub: Hands-On Innovation
A standout feature of the conference was the STEM Experience Hub, a dedicated space showcasing cutting-edge technologies and providing hands-on learning opportunities. The hub attracted over 500 students, educators, and teachers across several specialized zones:
| Zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| Technology Zone | AI, 3D printing, robotics, and coding |
| STEM Thematic Exhibits | Climate change and renewable energy projects |
| Laboratory Zone | Interactive science and engineering experiments |
| Educational Resources | Teaching materials and learning tools |
| STEM Lounge | Networking, career pathways, and partnerships |
During the official opening of the hub, H.E. Mrs. Ayelech Eshete, Ethiopia's State Minister of General Education, highlighted STEM's transformative potential in unlocking youth potential and driving economic growth. Professor Saidu Madougou, Director of Education, Science, and Technology at the African Union, stressed the importance of homegrown solutions to address Africa's challenges.
Dr. Rita Bissonauth, Director of UNESCO's Liaison Office, described the hub as "a universe of possibilities, where the spark of curiosity ignites, dreams take flight, and Africa's future can be shaped."
Four Thematic Tracks for In-Depth Discussion
The conference featured four comprehensive thematic tracks designed to delve into critical challenges and opportunities:
- Strengthening the foundations of STEM education — addressing curriculum reform, teacher capacity, and early exposure
- Advancing gender equality and inclusion — dismantling stereotypes and promoting workplace inclusion in STEM fields
- Fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and engineering — enhancing industry-academia collaboration and R&D investment
- Promoting STEM financing, science diplomacy, and partnerships — mobilizing resources and building cross-border cooperation
The Addis Ababa Communique
The conference culminated in the Addis Ababa Communique on Transforming STEM in Africa, which outlines key commitments for member states and development partners. The Communique emphasized:
- Expanding early exposure to STEM education
- Reforming curricula to align with 21st-century skills
- Developing teacher capacities through targeted professional development
- Ensuring equitable access to quality STEM resources
- Transforming learning environments to inspire creativity and innovation
- Advancing gender equality in STEM by addressing stereotypes and promoting inclusion
- Fostering STEM innovation and entrepreneurship through capacity building
- Enhancing industry-academia collaboration and increasing R&D investment
Context: The International Decade of Sciences
These efforts are set against the backdrop of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033), declared by the United Nations, which emphasizes capacity building to bridge global development gaps with a specific priority on Africa. The work is also guided by the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), which seek to transform education systems to better support socio-economic development.
The conference marked a crucial first step in a long-term journey. Once an action plan is developed and resources are mobilized, large-scale, country-level implementation is envisioned to transform STEM education and research across the continent.
Sources
- UNESCO, Transforming STEM in Africa: UNESCO and African Union Commission host groundbreaking continental conference, 2 December 2024 —
- UNESCO, Continental Conference on Transforming STEM in Africa —
- RSIF-PASET, Unlocking Africa's Potential: A Call to Transform STEM for Global Impact —
- World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2023
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