Background Information on the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is the development agency of the African Union, coordinating and executing priority regional and continental development projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realisation of Agenda 2063 - Africa's vision and action plan. AUDA-NEPAD evolved from the New Partnership for Africa's Development, which was a socio-economic flagship Programme of the African Union (AU). The NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency also evolved from the NEPAD Secretariat, with the Agency replacing the Secretariat in 2010, which had coordinated the implementation of NEPAD programmes and projects since 2001.

The work of AUDA-NEPAD is underpinned by its strategic plan which has seven priority areas among which are science, technology, and innovation (STI). The focus is appropriate and timely because STI is currently witnessing rapid expansion and adoption and is transforming the way institutions and businesses operate and redefining the rules of competitive excellence, especially during the unprecedented times of a pandemic. Better data application of emerging technologies and adoption and adaptation of existing innovations will promote transformative development. As a result, Africa has an incredible opportunity to use smart technology to further transform its economies at an unprecedented rate. This trend, therefore, calls for the adoption of appropriate and responsive innovation and emerging technologies as a panacea for Africa's transformation.