Promoting Efficient Transfer and Diffusion of Commercial Technologies
to African Enterprise

1. Objectives
   (1) Long-term: (a) Improved policy framework: Support to building an adequate enabling environment for technology acquisition and development,; (b) The creation of regional support networks: Increased level of cooperation between countries and institutions in the areas of biotechnology, agro-processing and food-processing technologies as well as environmentally sound technologies; (c) Increased scientific and technological capacities: Building technological capabilities within enterprises and institutions of the region.
   (2) Immediate: (a) Documentation: A document containing the material presented at the workshop for use by institutions of the region, development cooperation agencies and enterprises; (b) Programme of action: A "blueprint" of possible action at the national and regional levels; (c) Training achieved: Increased capabilities of regional and national institutions and firms with regard to the application and commercialization of R&D results;

2. Activities
   (1) A forum bringing together African researchers, representatives of the private sector and of public institutions dealing with S&T-related matters. A limited number of resource person from outside the African region will be invited.
   (2) Support to creating local networks in areas of biotechnology, agro-processing and environmentally sound technologies, linking both local and foreign R&D institutes to user firms within the region.
   (3) A second forum involving donor agencies for the mobilization of resources, particularly for supporting the development of local networks for the transfer, adaptation and diffusion of technology in the above-mentioned areas (and "translating" the first workshop's results into concrete measures that could be implemented within the region).
3. Expected outcome / impact
   (1) At the end of the activities participants will have increased their ability to use specific mechanisms and modalities for encouraging the pursuit of user-oriented R&D activities; (2) Users of technology (enterprises) will be able to consider more systematically the potential of research carried out domestically or within other countries of the region; (3) Government agencies will be aware of measures that could secure the necessary "enabling environment" needed for an effective diffusion of technology;
4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
   (1) On an infrastructural level the project will address the need for building strong endogenous capacities for technology transfer mechanisms serving the private sector; (2) On an economic level the project will address overcoming constraints with regard to formal business linkages between the R&D and enterprises communities; (3) On a policy level the project will address policies supportive of technological innovation;

Division on Investment, Technology and Enterprise Development, UNCTAD, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Swizerland