High Impact Policy and Technical Advisory Services

High-Impact Policy and Technical Advisory Services

We help least developed countries (LDCs) develop and implement policies, strategies, programs, and regulatory frameworks that enable sustainable and equitable growth in science, technology, and innovation (STI). By providing high-impact policy advice and technical support, we strengthen LDCs’ capacities to design, regulate, and implement initiatives that address their unique STI challenges.

Our work includes enhancing collaboration with national governments and regional organizations through institutional platforms that facilitate knowledge exchange and policy dialogue. We support LDCs in identifying priority sectors for transformation and investment, reviewing and upgrading tools such as Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) to be more inclusive, and converting them into accessible online platforms that provide guidance and toolkits in multiple languages. Based on these assessments, we provide technical assistance for developing bankable investment projects, including support in feasibility studies, financial modelling, and environmental and social impact assessments.

We also focus on strengthening governance and institutional engagement by identifying the appropriate counterpart ministries to champion reforms and drive change, facilitating cross-border sharing of policy frameworks, and providing strategic advice on regulatory improvements. Flagship initiatives such as advancing digital skills, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies in African LDCs aim to bridge the digital divide, enhance human resource capacities, and establish mechanisms for peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing. Additional programs extend technological capacities in sectors such as the blue economy, with specific measures to ensure the participation of women scientists in research and technology-oriented activities.

Through our integrated approach, we combine policy advisory, technical support, knowledge sharing, and capacity building to enable LDCs to transform their STI potential into tangible, long-term development outcomes.

Explore our Technology Needs Assessments.

The world's 44 least developed countries face common challenges such as economic vulnerability, human capacity constraints, infrastructure gaps, and limited technology. Yet they also hold immense potential with a majority of the population being young and abundant natural resources.

Technology Needs Assessments are systematic analyses of core social and economic sectors that are used to identify and prioritize the technologies needed for development.

Purpose: These assessments are critical for fast-tracking urgent development needs and priorities through investment in science, technology and innovation in LDCs. In the long term, they aim to assist countries to develop the technological and innovative capabilities to achieve growth, promote structural transformation and reach the Sustainable Development Goals.

Process: The UN Technology Bank conducts demand-driven, evidence-based Technology Needs Assessments, aligned with a country’s national development priorities. The assessments are informed by rigorous consultations with national, regional and international stakeholders, including government entities, the private sector, academia, and civil society in a step-by-step process:

Identify specific sectors or economic activities that would benefit from technological solutions.
Identify main technology gaps.
Assess a country’s capacity to acquire and use transferred technologies.
Identify appropriate technological solutions compatible with the country’s level of development.