Official Launch of the Policy Support Facility (PSF) Service in Angola
On Monday, 30 September 2024, Angola took a significant step towards transforming its Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) landscape with the official launch of the Policy Support Facility (PSF) service. This service, part of the OACPS Research and Innovation Programme and funded by the European Union, is set to play a crucial role in updating Angola’s National STI Policy, supporting the country’s National Development Plan (2023-2027) and its long-term vision for economic diversification.
The event was held both in person in Luanda and online, attracting a wide audience of national and international stakeholders. Among the key speakers were Dr. Norbert Richard Ibrahim, Assistant Secretary-General of the OACPS Secretariat, Ms. Rosario Bento Pais, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation, and Paula Regina Simões de Oliveira, Angola’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESCTI).
In his remarks, Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of Angola’s efforts to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, noting that while several policies and programs have been implemented as part of the National Development Plan, further efforts are essential. “The development of a new STI policy is a key step in this direction,” he stated, highlighting the need for policies that align government STI efforts with national developmental priorities and private sector activities. He also stressed that adapting skills to market needs and improving synergies between researchers, academics, businesses, and civil society are vital for Angola’s progress in the global economy.
Ms. Rosario Bento Pais underscored the EU’s long-standing support for the OACPS and its commitment to innovation in member countries. She pointed out the success of the PSF programme across several countries, citing examples such as the endorsement of national R&I strategies in Mauritania and Guinea, the establishment of a national innovation fund in Gambia, and the implementation of digital repositories in Timor Leste. These achievements demonstrate the transformative potential of the PSF service, which Angola is now poised to benefit from.
The Minister of MESCTI, Paula Regina Simões de Oliveira, outlined the National Development Plan’s focus on promoting human capital development through enhanced higher education, scientific research, and innovation. She highlighted that, with support from the OACPS and funding from the EU, Angola seeks to update its National STI Policy to further economic diversification and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in productive sectors. This effort, she said, is crucial for ensuring that Angola’s science, technology, and innovation systems effectively contribute to national development strategies.
The PSF service in Angola is expected to unfold over the next seven to eight months, with the involvement of a high-level Expert Panel, coordinated by Dr. Carla Cristina Vilarinho S. Queiroz. The panel will work closely with national authorities to deliver a comprehensive Policy Recommendation Report (PRR) that will guide the country in implementing a robust STI policy, designed to boost innovation, create jobs, and enhance Angola’s economic resilience.
The launch event was broadcast on local TV networks and is also available online for those who missed it watch the recording here.
- Read the article on ANGOP, the Angolan Press Agency.
For further updates on the PSF service and its progress in Angola, stay tuned to the official channels of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESCTI).
