Higher Education, Science and Technology Trust Fund

Background and Objectives

The goal of the ASTIF is to contribute to the economic and social advancement of the regional mem-ber countries by providing scientific research and innovation products which can enhance national capacities to meet the technological, industrial, health and agricultural development challenges facing them.

The Bank‟s strategy for Higher Education, Science and Technology (HEST) provides justification for it to be among the leading promoters of science, technology, and innovation in the continent‟s higher education and research institutions, research networks and centers of excellence. It is premised on the fact that a robust science and technology base is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth and that higher education, scientific research, and technological innovation are required to tackle many social , human, and economic development challenges.

Areas of Focus / Sub-Sectors

Within the framework of HEST, the following key areas have been identified:

• Biotechnology for its potential to impact on the health and agricultural sectors and to alleviate po-verty
• Engineering, particularly manufacturing, to help add value to African natural resources and raw ma-terials and contribute to economic growth.
• Proposed activities are:
• Promoting research and innovation activities
• Targeting support for African universities and other institutions of higher education to enhance their work in science, technology and engineering education
• Promoting regional as well as south-south and north-south cooperation in science and technology
• Supporting centers of excellence through increased funding of priority programs in science, tech-nology, and innovation;
• Creating a regional Science and Technology Research Catalogue of major research findings of po-tential interest to industry

Target Beneficiaries

Practitioners in health, science and technology at higher education institutions and centers of excel-lence, science and innovation networks on the continent, policy makers and government institutions, productive agricultural and industrial sectors

Indicative Timeframe and Proposed Outcomes

It is proposed that the Fund operates for an initial period of 7 years.
The Fund will seek to facilitate the following:

• Stimulate and support research, innovation and development activities of African scientific com-munities and networks which have a direct bearing on human and economic development
• Facilitate the strengthening of the scientific research and innovation work being carried out at se-lected regional African centers of excellence
• Provide support to university science faculties in the conduct, publication and dissemination of spe-cific applied research projects.

Proposed Administration and Governance Structure

Proposed structure:

• It would be administered and managed by the relevant Bank department.
• It would include core funding that would be available for funding research and innovation proposals submitted by relevant higher education institutions. The contribution of the Bank would be primari-ly meant for such purposes.
• It is expected that the existence of the fund at the Bank, its objectives and expected outcomes would encourage bi-laterals, private sector organizations and development partners to make funding con-tributions.

Additional Resources Required

The minimum threshold for multi-donor thematic funds is US$ 2 million.

The Bank seeks financial contributions by traditional and emerging donors.

Technical Department and Task Manager

Baboucarr S. Sarr, Lead Education Expert, Human Development Department
Tel: 216) 7110 2633

Focal point in the Partnerships and Cooperation Unit

Laurence Gielen, Principal Cooperation Officer
Tel: (216) 7110 2641