ABUJA, NIGERIA – The High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to Nigeria, His Excellency Selestine Gervas Kakele, has thrown his weight behind the International Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STICONF 2026), describing it as a strategic platform capable of driving Africa’s technological advancement, industrial growth, and economic transformation.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and Local Organising Committee (LOC) of STICONF 2026 to the Tanzanian High Commission in Abuja, the envoy praised the initiative as “a brilliant idea whose time has come” and pledged Tanzania’s support towards its success.

The visit forms part of a continental engagement campaign aimed at expanding participation and strengthening partnerships ahead of STICONF 2026, Africa’s emerging flagship platform for science, technology, innovation, and industrial development.

Leading the delegation, Dr. Victor Fadipe, Chairman of the IMC/LOC and Head of the Public-Private Partnership Department of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, said the conference is designed to address one of Africa’s most pressing development challenges—the disconnect between research and industry.

Speaking on the conference theme, “Bridging the Technology Divide: Strengthening Research Institutions–Industry Technology Linkages,” Dr. Fadipe noted that despite Africa’s vast pool of scientific talent and research capacity, the continent continues to struggle with translating research outcomes into commercially viable technologies, industrial products, and sustainable economic growth.

“STICONF 2026 will bring together governments, researchers, innovators, industries, investors, and development partners to develop practical solutions that strengthen research-industry collaboration, accelerate technology transfer, and drive industrialisation across Africa,” he said.

He extended an invitation to the Government of Tanzania, research institutions, innovation stakeholders, and private-sector leaders to participate actively in the conference, while also requesting the High Commissioner’s participation as a keynote speaker.

Also speaking, Mr. Isa Yusuf Sago, Founder and CEO of WelcometoNigeria Development Initiative (WeNDI) and Co-Chairman of the IMC/LOC, described STICONF 2026 as a transformative platform for unlocking Africa’s immense scientific and innovation potential.

According to him, Africa’s challenge is not a shortage of talent or ideas, but the absence of strong ecosystems that connect innovation with industry, investment, and economic development.

“Across the world, Africans are making remarkable contributions to science and innovation, yet our economies remain heavily dependent on imported technologies. STICONF 2026 seeks to change that narrative by creating stronger partnerships that move research from laboratories to industries and markets,” he stated.

Sago added that the conference will provide a unique platform for scientists, innovators, startups, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and development organisations from across Africa and beyond to showcase solutions, attract investment, build partnerships, and commercialize innovations.

Representing the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Auwal Mohammed Bununu stressed the urgent need for Africa to reduce its dependence on imported technologies.

He observed that many African industries still rely on foreign technologies, including basic processing technologies required for value addition to the continent’s abundant natural resources.

“The time has come for Africa to build its own technology capabilities and chart a sustainable path towards innovation-led industrial growth, competitiveness, and job creation,” he said.

Responding, High Commissioner Kakele commended the organisers for creating a platform that unites Africa’s scientific, research, innovation, and industrial communities around common development goals.

Drawing from his experience as a former Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s science and technology sector, he emphasized that science, technology, and innovation remain critical drivers of national development and economic prosperity.

“The world is advancing rapidly through technology. Africa must invest in knowledge, innovation, and scientific advancement if it is to compete effectively in the global economy,” he stated.

Referencing the philosophy of Tanzania’s founding President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the envoy noted that poverty, ignorance, and disease remain Africa’s greatest development challenges and can only be overcome through education, knowledge, science, and innovation.

“Knowledge destroys ignorance, while science and technology provide the tools needed to solve society’s challenges. Platforms such as STICONF create opportunities for African nations to collaborate, exchange ideas, and advance our collective development aspirations,” he added.

The Tanzanian envoy pledged to mobilize science, technology, and innovation stakeholders in Tanzania to participate in the conference, particularly through its hybrid engagement opportunities.

He further applauded Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting science, technology, and innovation across the continent and expressed confidence that STICONF 2026 would strengthen African cooperation, accelerate technology transfer, and contribute significantly to sustainable economic transformation.

STICONF 2026 is expected to convene policymakers, scientists, researchers, innovators, startups, investors, industry leaders, academia, development partners, and government institutions from across Africa and beyond to shape the future of science, technology, innovation, and industrial development on the continent. This version is tighter, more newsworthy, and reads like a professional press release suitable for newspapers, online media platforms, government publications, and stakeholder communications.