The Department of Science and Technology in the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology in collaboration with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and European Union (EU) launched a Research and Innovation Policy at an event held in Maseru on Wednesday.
When launching the policy, the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Mr. Tṧoinyana Rapapa thanked OACPS which through the support of the EU found it fitting to provide support to Lesotho in making this policy.
Mr. Rapapa said the Research and Innovation Policy will provide guidance and a framework to fast-track research and innovation activities in the country, noting that by the end of the current National Strategic Development Plan in 2022/23, the country through the ministry should have products to show.
He noted that the country is committed to raising the profile of research and innovation to promote economic growth that could be realised for centuries, noting that the country must not be left behind as the  Southern African Development Community (SADC) region has placed emphasis on excellence and fourth industrial revolution and that there has been an assessment and analysis of the situation of Youth Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Learnership as well as the development of a SADC Innovation and Technology Transfer Framework and Action Plan.
Mr. Rapapa said research funding and research activity must be visible, adding that innovations must be there for everyone to see.
He said the Innovation Hub at the National University of Lesotho has already shown the way hence the country will not be starting from nothing, saying Basotho from different walks of life have already made attempts to innovate.
In conclusion, the Minister thanked OACPS, EU and local stakeholders, mainly the National University of Lesotho, Botho University, Limkokwing University and Econet Telecom Lesotho for their contribution and support in ensuring the success of the initiative.
Also speaking, Mrs. Mabataung Khalane who is the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology said the National Strategic Development plan 2018/19–2022/23 identifies technology and innovation as one of the four productive sectors that can contribute to the economic development of the country, saying this means that the country should double its effort to promote invention and innovation so that new products can be developed thus setting the stage for the establishment of new businesses hence generate income and create the much-needed jobs.
Mrs. Khalane expressed gladness that the country is talking about a research and innovation policy, which she said will provide guidance and support for research and innovation activities.
She expressed her gratitude to OACPS and EU, saying OACPS provided technical support while EU supported OACPS financially.
The Chair Expert Panel, Prof. Leboli Z. Thamae said issues that the policy will address include working together with the government in order to subsidise tax revenue for the start-up business.
He remarked that for the policy to be useful, all stakeholders need to take part in the implementation of this policy.
Prof. Thamae noted that their focus is more on start-up businesses that do not have financial muscle so to empower and motivate them, saying this will help them contribute to job creation thus contributing to the country’s economic growth.
It is expected that Research and Innovation Policy will protect rights and policies of innovation also enabling the environment for innovation.
By Staff Reporter: Noliwe Velaphe