In face of this growing role of science and technology in the economy, governments will have to put the right S&T policies in place, and may even have to implement some measures beyond the traditional S&T policy domain (e.g., R&D, education and training). The intertwined process of technological development and globalisation clearly touches all African countries, makes countries' economic and technological innovation systems increasingly interdependent and enhances the diffusion of knowledge, technology and people across borders. At the same time, it presents different challenges for individual countries: countries are differently affected depending on their industrial structure, the size and openness of their economy and the strength of their science and technology base. ECA has the mandate to assist governments in making their policies more effective for enhancing the role of science and technology in African economies and societies. Furthermore, ECA needs to assist member States in strengthening their capacity to manage technological change in an integrated manner.

What is ESTNET?
ESTNET stands for ECA Science and Technology Network. It is a collaborative policy research network promoting the dissemination and exchange of information related to science and technology management and policy issues in Africa.
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What are ESTNET's Objectives?
ESTNET aims to increase the understanding of issues and policies related to science and technology that bear specifically on the development of African countries in the current context of the global economy. Its ultimate objective is to provide a comprehensive 'one stop shop' information service for S&T policymakers and other stakeholders in Africa.
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Why is ESTNET Needed?
S&T policymakers and other stakeholders in Africa urgently need improved
access to adequate and relevant information in order to develop effective policy in an increasingly knowledge-based global economy. At the same time, there is an urgent need for better communication, interaction and consultation among African science and technology policymakers and their respective institutions as well as between them and the outside world. In particular, the world-wide scope of scientific challenges, the high cost and complexity of the needed infrastructure, and the global distribution of scientific resources and expertise make international cooperation and better integration of African countries into the global S&T policy communities of growing importance. ESTNET is a response to these urgent needs.
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How and Whom will ESTNET Help?
ESTNET will help practitioners in various African public and private institutions who are engaged in development work that is based on a sound application of science and technology. This will be achieved above all by enhancing the sharing of relevant information resources. ESTNET will help identify and exploit opportunities for co-operation and consultation among African S&T stakeholders and between them and other S&T policy communities. It can also contribute to the diffusion of better policy practices across African countries, so as to develop more effective S&T policy in Africa.
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To this end, ESTNET aims to:

• provide a virtual space in which S&T policymakers and other stakeholders can network and share information dynamically by helping to build and sustain a virtual community of African S&T stakeholders;
• provide information on recent S&T trends and major policy issues which bear relevance to on African development;
• provide up-to-date information on the major events and national, regional and multilateral meetings directly relevant to African S&T development;
• provide information on funding sources and highlight creative ways of funding a S&T research base;
• provide up-to-date information on the international governance structure of S&T;
• list country-level baseline information in S&T areas and a periodic update on policy introduction and debate, including information on country level progress with respect to S&T development and policy;
• provide a comprehensive and up-to-date list of African and non-African S&T resources (e.g., major S&T institutions, journals, documents, publications);
• provide information on the experience of African and non-African countries (for example, under the heading of 'lessons learned') and highlight 'good or best practice cases' in selected S&T policy areas;
• identify areas of S&T in which it would be useful to develop Africa-wide standards or 'rules of the game' aimed at improved convergence or compatibility of national policies;
• provide a forum to post collaboration interests in African S&T areas;
• assist ECA member States' access to ESTNET through improved Internet connectivity;
• initiate critical debates and comparative analyses of various, often competing paradigms on S&T policy and development with respect to their applicability to the African context;
• provide information on countries' experiences and best practices with regard to S&T-related institutional reform, including information highlights of some selected country level 'best-practices' of maintaining a regulatory framework that promotes innovative behaviour;
• initiate and maintain E-discussion groups on selected focus areas (e.g., policy issues raised by the impact of the current information and communication technology revolution on the African economy);
• provide information on resource persons such as experts and consultants, including a referral service to relevant S&T institutions upon request, and where appropriate;
• advocate and encourage the development of internationally comparable data on science, technology and innovation that help to monitor change and progress in African S&T areas.
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