Governance Assessment of Science, Technology and Innovation in African Democracies

This panel examines how African democracies govern, assess and implement science, technology and innovation (STI) amid political, institutional, economic and geopolitical uncertainty. It responds directly to the 29th IPSA World Congress theme, “Uncertain Democracies: Rethinking Governance in a Changing Global System”, by asking whether existing governance institutions and assessment frameworks are capable of managing rapidly changing technological environments.
The panel’s objective is to critically assess the relationship between democratic governance, STI capacity and development, while reconsidering whose standards, indicators and knowledge systems should define effective STI governance. It recalls Africa’s successive continental initiatives, from the Monrovia Declaration (1979) and Lagos Plan of Action (1980) through the Consolidated Plan of Action on Science and Technology (2005), STISA-2024, Agenda 2063, and the emerging STISA-2034 framework. STISA-2024 placed STI at the centre of socio-economic transformation and established six priority areas: food security, health, mobility and communication, space, societal development, and wealth creation.
The core focus is governance assessment beyond donor-driven indicators, incorporating locally grounded and institutionally contextualised approaches. Papers can focus on any of the following scopes:
(1) regional and continental STI governance;
(2) national STI policy and institutional capacity;
(3) digitalization and emerging technologies;
(4) democratic accountability and citizen participation in local STI governance;
(5) technology transfer and geopolitical competition; and
(6) STI governance in agriculture, health, energy, environment or education.
Comparative analysis and case studies are highly welcomed, with qualitative and quantitative governance indicators, or mixed-method approaches.
Keywords: Governance; Science, Technology and Innovation; African Democracies; STI Policy; Accountability; Digital Transformation
Selected References
African Union Commission. (2014). Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024). Addis Ababa: African Union.
African Union Commission. (2025). Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034): Driving Africa’s Future. Addis Ababa: African Union.
Arndt, C. (2008). “The Politics of Governance Ratings.” International Public Management Journal, 11(3), 275–297.
Hyden, G., et al. (2008). Governance Assessments for Local Stakeholders: What the World Governance Assessment Offers. London: Overseas Development Institute.
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, African Union Commission, & African Development Bank. (2016). Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa: Policy and Governance Perspectives.