The Future of Foresight Exercises for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Africa

This chapter delves into the insights gained from the South Africa Foresight Exercises for Science, Technology and Innovation (SAForSTI) 2030 to guide future implementations of science, technology, and innovation (STI) foresight exercises across Africa. It underscores the pivotal role of STI in addressing societal challenges and fostering inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development. The chapter is structured into three sections, first situating recommendations in global, continental, and domestic contexts, followed by drawing lessons from SAForSTI, and finally, presenting considerations for future foresight exercises in South Africa and the broader African continent. Drawing lessons from SAForSTI, the chapter underscores the immediate impact of the foresight exercise on the STI Decadal Plan, demonstrating the value of foresight in shaping national priorities. Foresight, characterised as a systematic, participatory, and future-intelligence-gathering process, empowers decision-makers to actively influence the unfolding future and construct narratives tailored to the context of developing countries.