Outcome of the African Regional Workshop on Transfer of Technology Arusha, Tanzania Dr. Peter P. Zhou EECG Consultants Pty Box GABORONE. Botswana Tel/fax : mail Africa Regional Workshop on Transfer of Technology Arusha, Tanzania, August 1999

Workshop Objectives: Share views/experiences among Parties on past transfer of technology in the African Region. Advance the understanding of technology needs & special situations of the African countries. Generate information and ideas on practical steps to enhance the transfer of technology to Africa. Consider elements of a framework for meaningful and effective actions to enhance implementation of Article 4.5 of the Convention.

Key Themes of Arusha: Issues and Questions Technology needs- What & How Barriers & Opportunities to the transfer of technology Capacity building to enhance tech. transfer_ Specific priorities & Strategies Technology information needs Transfer of Technology Mechanisms Stakeholder Interactions- public-private-MLI, BLI, NGO, Civil (roles and potential)

Themes of the Arusha Workshop Technology needs –What are the technology needs of African countries? What are the priorities? –Africa to increase Energy-Qty & Quality--Move away from unssustainable traditional biomass- to new and benign sources –Consider Sociological disparities- industrial complex Versus social upliftment-poverty alleviation –Africa;s diverse socio-economic/political/resource endowments disparities –Public Domain Techs- need not most sophisticated

Themes of the Arusha Workshop Barriers to the development and transfer of technologies –Barriers? –NO CC Policies & Legal- regulatory, Institutional weakness; – access to finance (local & international); no ready markets, poorly equipped SMMES – Poorly informed consumer – political corruption & macroeconomic status;Poor Response to investor enquiry; Battling with ESAPS

Themes of the Arusha Workshop Capacity-building for technology transfer –Focus For capacity-building,? –Best to learn by doing- engage in EST trial projects- GEF but missed out in AIJ! –Equip with business skills- part SMMEs –Empower socioecological groups –Policy analysis; project development- a think tank idea –Establish strong legal and regulatory institutions –Change African notions-rationale & competitive edge –Matching needs with capacity

Themes of the Arusha Workshop Technology information –What information on technology is needed? –Most technologies public domain- source & application –Tracking technology developments – CC information In hands of govt, NGO but PVT sector lacking- sharing among stakeholders –Sharing and replication of Experiences In-counytry; S-S and S-N. –General awareness rationale of CC activities.

Themes of the Arusha Workshop Transfer of technology mechanisms –Other ML and BL have conditionalities and no EST facility –UNFCCC important jump start for EST –GEF operative in Africa- no AIJ- Bias towards mitigation and more needed in adaptation –Sectorally limited to energy –What are key elements of appropriate technology transfer mechanisms under Article 4.5?- prepare both launching and landing pads

Themes of the Arusha Workshop Stakeholder Involvement –Govt, NGO and RI actively involved –Limited Pvt sector role- too much risk in new venture- to be involved from project development –Govt to promote pvt sector confidence in TT as new venture. –Govt to buy down risks- but current project preferences not conducive to sustainability. –Informed society –Int Organizations- promote existing opportunities

Three Key Observations from Africa: The synergy between development and climate change policies has been under exploited. Success in RETS. Actions to address climate change must simultaneously address development objectives. Past CC taken as technical Fixes/passing phase- even distorted markets Success with awareness/skills/information/Fiscal policies Development and implementation of actions & initiatives must involve all key stakeholders: –e.g., intergovernmental and multilateral organizations, national and local governments, private sector, NGOs & public society.

Significant Outcomes from Arusha: Require concerted effort to identify and prioritized technology needs- Public Domain for suitability- expanding sectoral scope General barriers to technology transfer are known and practical actions to overcomethem should be initiated. Agreement on meaningful and effective actions and a framework for actions under the UNFCCC requires continued consultations Capacity Building in Africa is of paramount importance but specific priorities and strategies need to be mapped.

Further Significant Outcomes from Arusha: Require strategic partnerships between governments, private sector and other stakeholders on technology transfer. Require partnerships among African countries as an important and potentially effective mechanism for technology transfer. Require multilateral & bilateral donors who play greaterrole in coordination of EST activities

Next steps for African countries... Undertaking technology needs assessments to identify priority technology needs Further identification and analysis of the barriers to the transfer of priority technologies Need a think tank to lead the debate Need easier access to financing EST and local tech. dev’t Consultation among stakeholders to identify practical actions to overcome barriers & enhance implementation of Article 4.5 & bring climate change on Development Agenda Development of meaningful and effective actions under the framework of the UNFCCC may be best achieved by:

Next steps for African countries... Development of meaningful and effective actions under the framework of the UNFCCC may be best achieved by: Building commercial interest for PVT sector/Civil society participation Information base & Networking at National/Regional/International Advocating for easier windows of EST Financing Build skills to support Decision making