The workshop was initiated to streamline ongoing and planned activities to advance the implementation of “Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action”. AMCOST as the overall governance structure for setting continental priorities and policies pertaining to the development and application of science and technology for Africa's socio-economic transformation will be instrumental in planning and carrying out this workshop.

The gaps in knowledge and learning between industrial and developing countries are manifest in terms of the level and scope of technological capabilities, varying opportunities for learning at various levels and across disciplines, and the differences in innovative approaches to knowledge creation and application. Most of Africa is not in a position to harness the resources of science and technology (S&T) in order to tackle the endemic problem of poverty, disease, inequity, and environmental degradation.

“Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action” formulated by The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU) is based on three pillars: capacity building, knowledge production, and technological innovation. However, the slow advancement of the development of science and technology in Africa has been criticized. It was also stated that the private sector needs to assume its role and responsibility of establishing research-intensive universities in Africa as well as public private partnerships and providing better support to cooperation structures. The workshop will focus on taking stock of existing initiatives and current advances, identifying the most urgent needs, and analysing priorities for future action. It engages high-level actors from the field of policy and research in constructive dialogue in order to build a sustainable roadmap for focussed progress and achievement.

In the course of the workshop, targeted introductory keynote speeches on selected topics are to trigger discussions and the exchange of ideas amongst the experts. The participants will further elaborate on these topics in working groups. The workshop pursues three major objectives: taking stock of the current status of science and technology in Africa and of south/north cooperation; identification of priorities and prioritised fields of cooperation for the implementation of “Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action”; and building future strategies and structures encouraging transnational cooperation networks and fostering innovative partnership models.

The workshop further aims at: a prioritization of needs based on the assessment of the CPA implementation process; a discussion of the innovative and regionally tested funding schemes and mechanisms for the implementation of “Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action”; and a review of experiences across Africa with existing funding schemes as well as good and inadequate practices.

The organisers hope to be able to initiate new and innovative inter-African collaborations and other partnerships of mutual benefit,and to build potential strategies and expand research competences in Africa.