On 31st October 2015, the African ministers responsible for Science, Technology, and Innovation called for establishing systems that would inform stakeholders about the benefits and perceived risks as well as regulatory systems that should be put in place to benefit from scientific discoveries. African leaders at the Summit of January 2016 endorsed the request by the Technical Specialized Committee (STC) on Education, Science and Technology that the NEPAD Agency working with the AUC, should advise member states and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), on matters of technology prospecting. This includes regulatory and ethical requirements that need to be put in place for the continent to benefit from emerging technologies for economic development and environmental sustainability and establish a system for obtaining expert contribution on the matters of technology development, acquisition and deployment for economic development.

The Establishment of APET

Following the Decision, the then Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, appointed a ten-member African Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET), which advises the Union and its various organs and provides guidance to Member States since October 2016.

In response to AU resolutions and decisions, the AUDA-NEPAD in collaboration with the African Union Commission established a ten-member African Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) composed of eminent experts to advise the Union, its various organs, and Member States on how Africa should harness innovation and emerging technologies for socioeconomic development.

APET consists of eminent African professionals drawn from the six regions of the continent including the African Diaspora. The APET in its advisory Think Tank role to the AU Member States provides an opportunity for the continent to leverage current and emerging innovations and technologies that have high potential to transform Africa's science base into a competitive advantage.

APET serves as an advisory think tank to AU Member States, providing an opportunity for the continent to leverage current and emerging technologies that have the potential to transform Africa's science base into a competitive advantage. By doing so, APET aims to enhance Africa's participation in the global knowledge economy and contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction on the continent.

As an advisory body, APET engages with policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and civil society organisations to identify and evaluate appropriate emerging technologies that could have a significant impact on the African continent. The Panel also assesses the potential risks and benefits of these technologies and provides recommendations on how African countries can best adopt and deploy them.

Some of the key areas of focus for APET include biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy. The Panel's work is guided by the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, and it works closely with other African Union bodies to ensure that its recommendations align with the Union's broader development objectives.

Overall, APET represents an important initiative by the African Union to leverage emerging technologies for sustainable economic development on the continent. By bringing together experts from various fields and engaging with stakeholders across the public and private sectors, APET is well-positioned to play a crucial role in shaping Africa's technological future.