General Objectives
Investing in Education, Science, Technology and Innovation for a self-reliant and competitive Africa.
Introduction
In a rapidly changing world, where the digital revolution and artificial intelligence are redefining economies, societies, and power dynamics, Africa cannot afford to remain on the sidelines. Agenda 2063 reminds us that the continent’s development rests on a profound transformation centered on knowledge, creativity, invention, and entrepreneurship. Placing Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI) at the heart of the African Union’s priorities means investing in Africa’s most valuable asset: its dynamic and promising youth, and its women, whose potential remains largely untapped.
While artificial intelligence opens new perspectives in the fields of productivity, public services, health, agriculture, and education, it also poses new challenges: the digital divide, exclusion of vulnerable populations, technological dependence, and loss of data sovereignty. Mastering emerging technologies is no longer an advantage; it is a strategic necessity for the security, competitiveness, and sovereignty of the continent.
What should we expect from Burundi
Burundi, which will assume the presidency of the African Union in 2026, wishes to make this issue a priority, in line with its vision of empowering and including young people and women as drivers of sustainable development. Drawing on its experience with its own educational reforms and initiatives to promote innovation, Burundi intends to contribute to the continental effort to prepare the next generation of Africans to be creators of solutions rather than mere consumers of imported technologies.
Affirming this priority means reaffirming the conviction that technological progress must be an accelerator of social justice and a catalyst for opportunities for every citizen. It means preparing an Africa where local talent shapes global progress, where innovation becomes a pillar of economic autonomy, and where digital transformation is a driver of peace, prosperity, and cohesion.