The Science, Technology and Innovation Africa (STI Africa) forum is an initiative created by Jide Awe, an entrepreneur and public policy consultant with extensive experience in digital development. The forum aims to promote the use and development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to realize the sustainable development of Africa.
The STI Africa forum places emphasis on STI for sustainable development and the achievement of the goals of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) as well as the improvement of STI awareness, policy literacy and capacity in Africa.
The focus of the STI Africa forum is achieving the aspirations and goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, “The Africa We Want”, through leverage on Science, Technology and Innovation. The forum aligns with the mission of STISA-2024 – to “Accelerate Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, Knowledge-based Economy”.
Jide Awe is one of the first people to be certified competent in Accelerating the Implementation of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) by the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
His digital development experiences and policy solutions cover areas such as private sector development, digital education, digital agriculture, data protection and privacy, policy development and advisory, content provision and career coaching.
He played a pioneering role in Computer Education and online local content provision, founding the forerunning website for tech development, Jidaw.com
He has provided public policy and development advisory consulting services in the development of ICT policies at state and national levels working with state agencies, the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). He was appointed a Member of Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) Committee of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).
He contributed to advancing digital development while serving in advocacy and professional bodies by setting up and managing several initiatives as a member of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) and a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). In recognition of his considerable expertise and advocacy background as well as his aspirations for STI development in Nigeria, he was elected to the National Executive Council (NEC) of NCS to chair key committees at different periods.
The STI Africa forum flows from his passion for advocacy. Jide Awe writes and speaks on innovation, change, disruption, transformation and the future. His contributions have been published in national and international media. He has also setup and been involved in youth innovation, children online safety, women in tech, STI for Africa, ICT career development, information security and digital development initiatives.
His innovative vision that technology is about people has defined the nature of his career and interests for over 25 years. In line with his vision and commitment to contributing towards the use of STI to realize potential, he promotes STISA-2024 and other related initiatives in Africa while pushing for inclusive innovation, ethical practices and increased societal relevance of the technology space.
The reward of contributing towards the development of an inclusive, sustainable and more globally competitive STI enabled continent is one of his greatest motivators. For him, STI development and policy formulation to transform society is a calling and not a job.