Sierra Leone Technology Needs Assessment Validation

Introduction

The Technology Bank supports least developed countries (LDCs) to conduct Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs), which are effective tools for identifying development challenges in LDCs that require technological solutions through targeted project design and sustainable technology transfer. TNAs provide useful guides for LDCs and stakeholders in their decision-making efforts related to technology transfer and science, technology and innovation (STI) capacity building programmes for each LDC to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets set in their national development plans and reaching the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

The TNA process is country-led and participatory, involving stakeholders from various sectors and thematic areas including government line ministries, youth, women, the private sector, NGOs, IOs and other development actors. One fundamental part of this process is national level validation workshops, which are held after consolidation of the TNA report to enable key stakeholders and experts to review and endorse the findings in the TNA reports. This is followed by the technology implementation planning phase that aims to catalyze implementation and put the proposed technological solutions into action.

Event proceeding

The draft TNA report underwent validation by national stakeholders in Sierra Leone through a virtual workshop. The validation process provided an opportunity for stakeholders to check the consistency of the information in the report and its alignment with the country's needs and priorities. The validation workshop was attended by participants from different sectors, and organizations including Government line ministries, academia, private sector, UN agencies, CSOs etc. The validation workshop was graced by the presence of the Honorable Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Francis Kai Kai.