He said from Morocco’s industrial value chains in automative and renewable energy to South Africa’s use of advanced manufacturing and digital tools, “we know that innovation can and must translate into production, value addition and job creation.” 

Mr Gatete, who doubles as the Executive Secretary of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) made these statements at the Eighth African Science, Technology and Innovation Forum, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday, which was monitored by the Ghana News Agency. 

The forum was convened under the theme: “Achieving progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 through transformative and coordinated actions in science, technology and digital innovation.” 

He noted that the shared conviction of Africa’s future would be shaped not only by what we extract, but by what we invent; not only by what we consume, but by what we create. 

The Executive Secretary acknowledged that Africa must accelerate investment in digital public infrastructure, adding without robust digital systems – digital identity, interoperable payments and trusted data platforms – innovation could not scale. 

“From Egypt’s precision agriculture improving water efficiency, to Ghana’s mobile health platforms expanding access to care, and Botswana’s digital public services enhancing delivery and trust, we see how digital systems are already transforming lives.” 

He noted that investments towards building future-ready skills at scale must be the highest point as the continent holds the world’s youngest population, saying leadership could not afford a mismatch between education systems and the demands of the digital economy. 

“For instance, across West Africa, digital skills initiatives and innovation hubs across cities like Lagos and Accra are expanding opportunities. And yet, gaps in digital skills are a binding constraint across many countries,” adding the need for investment in science, engineering, AI and emerging fields, while ensuring that women and youth are fully included in this transformation. 

He called for deepened regional and continental coordination as a panacea for greater scaling of innovation to accelerate integration of markets. 

“Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, Africa has a unique platform to expand digital solutions, harmonize regulations and develop regional value chains. 

Whether in pharmaceuticals, where Africa still imports most of its needs, or in digital services, the case for collective action is compelling,” Mr Gatete added. 

He entreated Africa to secure reliable and sustainable energy to power its digital transformation as digital infrastructure and emerging technologies are energy-intensive saying the continent’s digital ambitions would remain constrained without affordable, reliable and clean energy. 

He noted that from expanding renewable energy capacity to strengthening regional power pools, investing in energy systems is not separate from the digital agenda; it is foundational to it. 

The Executive Secretary said the world is witnessing slower economic growth, tightening financial conditions, rising debt vulnerabilities, intensifying climate shocks and increasing geopolitical fragmentation reshaping trade and investment patterns. 

Alongside these developments, he noted a rapid technological revolution – driven by data, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blockchain and the Internet of Things – is redefining competitiveness, productivity and even the nature of governance itself. 

Mr Gatete acknowledged that to Africa, this meant the margin for delay has disappeared, while the cost of inaction rising and “And it means that the choices we make today will determine whether we catch the next wave of global transformation – or miss it entirely.” 

He indicated that continental decisions and partnerships that are forged would determine whether Africa enters the next decade as a consumer of innovation, or as a contributor of solutions to the world.