Africa's science and technology roadmap to be reviewed

A high level panel of scientists has been set up by the African Union (AU to  breathe new life into its roadmap for collaborative research,  first adopted by science ministers in 2005. The Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA), officially endorsed by AU heads of states and governments in 2006, aimed to turn African countries from resource-based to innovation-led knowledge economies. Its achievements include the African Science and Technology Indicators Initiative, which last year published a survey of science and innovations produced for the first time from within Africa.  However,  the CPA had also come under fire for its slow progress and failure to coordinate science aid as well as a failure to set up an African science fund.. The eight member panel, now guide the AU through a review of CPA's achievements and failings, and will present its report to a ministerial conference in Brazzaville, Congo, in November.