Improving STI policy conditions and building mechanisms for innovation in Africa
2008-2013

Creation of pilot science park in Africa

UNESCO launched a pilot project in 2008 for the development of a science park in an African country. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is to host this science park, which will serve as a case study for establishing ‘technopolises’ across Africa. The project will develop a body of good practices and guidelines which will then be disseminated widely to national governments.

This pilot science park will contribute to the programme for the Development of Science & Technology Parks identified for immediate cooperation between the African Union, NEPAD and the UN S&T Cluster in Support of the AU. UNIDO is the lead agency for this programme, which will involve close cooperation with UNECA, UNCTAD and UNESCO.

The UNESCO pilot project for a science park in Africa is being implemented in cooperation with the World Technopolis Association and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

For details, contact the project coordinator.

UNESCO’s contribution to other priorities of the African Union in STI policy:

Launch of the African Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Initiative
Assessment of the status of science and Technology policy formulation
Development of common African STI indicators
Creation of an African STI Observatory

A master plan under preparation in Nairobi

September 2008 - The business plan for the Nairobi science park having been completed, UNESCO is currently assisting the Government of Kenya in elaborating a master plan for the development of a science park in Nairobi.

Nairobi to host science park

July 2008 - UNESCO has sent a team of experts to Nairobi to assist the Government of Kenya in elaborating a business plan for a science park in Kenya’s capital. UNESCO selected Nairobi to host the science park in Africa as a follow-up to the African regional workshop held in Windhoek (Namibia) from 9 to 11 May 2007. The workshop was organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Namibian Government, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), World Technopolis Association (WTA) and Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). It drew participants from 18 African countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, United Rep. of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.