Koladé Josué Azandégbey, deputy chief of staff at Benin’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, expressed his pride in Benin hosting the 2nd African Forum for Research and Innovation (FARI) in 2025. During the opening meeting on March 17, 2025, in Cotonou, he highlighted the event's potential to showcase the talents of young people and research in science, technology, and innovation within West Africa.
Azandégbey reiterated Benin's commitment to ensuring the success of FARI-2025. The central theme is "African youth, innovation and entrepreneurship: building a sustainable future."
Amadou Diongue, ECOWAS resident representative in Benin, emphasized Africa's need to produce its own science. "The potential of our young people is there for all to see," he stated. He noted that development requires science and technology.
On behalf of ECOWAS Commission President Dr Oumar Alieu Touray and Commissioner Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, Diongue mentioned that FARI-2025 would succeed by harnessing Africa’s youth potential. He urged participants to finalize the work programme for clarity on discussion topics.
Prof. Saliou Touré and Abbas Miezan stressed FARI's importance and supported ECOWAS in its establishment. They noted that it was during a meeting on December 9, 2018, that ECOWAS ministers recommended creating FARI.
FARI serves as an ECOWAS forum dedicated to science, technology, and innovation. It aims to promote inventions by showcasing inventors and start-ups from West Africa.
The Scientific Committee organizes the Forum by preparing scientific phases and proposing themes for discussion panels. The jury selects three best start-ups from each ECOWAS member state for participation in FARI.
Dr Roland Kouakou from the Ecowas Commission stated that this meeting aims to finalize panel terms of reference and select start-ups per country. The meeting will split into two sub-committees: one for the Scientific Committee and another for the start-up session jury.
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