"African youth, innovation and entrepreneurship: building a sustainable future." This will be the main theme of the 2nd edition of the Forum for African Research and Innovation (FARI), to be held in Benin from May 5 to 9, 2025. This decision was taken at the meeting of the International Committee for the preparation of this event, which concluded on June 28, 2024, in Cotonou, Benin's economic capital.
To ensure smooth organization and success of FARI-2025, recommendations were made to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), its Member States, and technical and financial partners. Specifically, participants called for support from entities such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) through financial resources and technical assistance.
ECOWAS is being asked to raise awareness among its Commission's management and ensure involvement from West African Ministers, Heads of Institutions, and Heads of State in FARI-2025. The regional organization is also expected to implement a communication and resource mobilization strategy to guarantee the Forum's success. Additionally, ECOWAS Member States should promote FARI-2025 at a national level to engage all stakeholders.
Participants validated various elements including terms of reference for the scientific committee, a roadmap, specifications for Benin as host country regarding practical organization details like discussion panels and start-up training themes.
Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, representing the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs of ECOWAS Commission stated that "the main theme of FARI-2025 is a promising one," highlighting its focus on youth within innovation and science while celebrating ECOWAS' 50th anniversary.
Dr. Roland Kouakou, Acting Director of Education, Science and Culture at ECOWAS Commission said: “Through the participation of inventors and start-ups, FARI-2025 puts young people at the heart of debates,” aiming to find solutions for regional youth issues. He added that ECOWAS will follow procedures leading up to the Forum.
Prof. Clement Agbangla assured participants about Benin’s logistical capacities along with security and media measures planned for ensuring FARI's success in 2025. Representing Benin’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Prof. Eleonore Yayi Ladekan he emphasized readiness.
The creation recommendation for FARI was adopted during ECOWAS Ministers' meeting on December 8, 2018 in Cotonou. Dedicated to science technology innovation under strategic axis five from Action Plan it aims promoting inventions showcasing region’s inventors start-ups potentially becoming major events within ECOWAS region.
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