The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) today welcomed stakeholders to a high-level prioritization workshop on transformative investments in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) aimed at enhancing food self-sufficiency in The Gambia. The event brought together representatives from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, the EU Delegation, leadership of the University of The Gambia, government institutions, academia, industry, civil society, and international organizations.
Delivering opening remarks, Ms. Isatou Auber, Permanent Secretary of MoHERST, emphasized the critical role of evidence-based policies and innovative solutions in addressing pressing national and continental challenges. The workshop, implemented under the Africa Regional Centers of Excellence program, seeks to strengthen the nation’s innovation ecosystem while advancing the green transition.
“The Government of The Gambia recognizes that science, technology, and innovation are powerful drivers of national development,” Ms. Auber said. “The STI for SDGs roadmap, co-developed with the Joint Research Centre and local partners, provides a strategic framework for identifying investment opportunities tailored to our unique sustainability challenges—particularly in enhancing food security.”
The workshop leverages the Social Multi-Criteria Analysis methodology to prioritize investments in a transparent and inclusive manner, ensuring policy decisions are evidence-informed, context-sensitive, and aligned with national development aspirations. Participants are expected to contribute to a ranking of priority STI investments that will guide fundraising strategies and policy interventions to strengthen food self-sufficiency.
Ms. Auber expressed appreciation to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and all partners for their continued collaboration, underscoring the shared vision of building resilient systems that promote innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
She concluded by urging participants to engage in open dialogue and forward-looking discussions, highlighting the potential impact of their deliberations on transforming agricultural systems, empowering researchers and innovators, and improving livelihoods across the country.
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