Science, technology and innovation are important instruments for sustainable development, contributing to increased competitiveness and improved quality of life. Some experiences at the international level suggest that the development of countries is associated with increasing capacities in these areas. In Angola, economic diversification is a priority, and the productive sector must be strengthened, increasing access to knowledge, technology and innovation.

The National Development Plan (PDN-2018-2022) emphasizes the promotion of entrepreneurship as one of the pillars for the country's social and economic development. However, the Angolan economy has been going through a prolonged economic recession in progress since 2015. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the country's weak macro fiscal situation, in a context of high unemployment, especially among young people and women.

Angola was ranked 177th in the World Bank's ranking of 190 Easier Businesses in 2020. Promoting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) development and innovation remains one of the Government's top priorities. Innovation and technological transfer have the ability to favor business development and the generation of jobs and added value. For this, Angola adopted the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (PNCTI).

Background:

Given this conjecture of employability of traditional businesses, together with the Government's financial programs for MSMEs, it is essential to create the conditions to stimulate business development and innovation, as a way of not only meeting the subsistence needs of young people, but also to turn problems and needs into opportunities to create thriving businesses and good jobs.

The emergence and growth of outstanding innovative businesses in the country is often supported or driven by a local innovation ecosystem, a network of private actors and public institutions that have activated and boosted the sector through a set of actions and initiatives, including incubation and acceleration programs, workshops and competitions. However, there is a need to articulate the efforts that have been developed by these actors in the private sector, and to stimulate greater coordination between public programs in science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. For an ecosystem to develop, some surrounding conditions and a favorable institutional environment are needed. One of the priority actions of the PDN 2018-2022 is to support the creation of a Technology and Innovation Transfer Network (RTTI).

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESCTI) is in a favorable position to contribute to paving the way for the expansion of the innovation ecosystem, establishing support and impulse mechanisms, and eliminating the main obstacles, thus creating favorable conditions for its development. MESCTI also has a prominent role in promoting entrepreneurship in academia, aiming at transforming scientific research into products and promoting the creation of new companies. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) within its Country Cooperation Framework (CDP 2020-2022) proposes to explore and strengthen systems to support and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation to maximize the desirable impact of policies and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.

To promote scientific research, innovation and entrepreneurship, MESCTI and UNDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims, among several actions, to support the creation of RTTI. This national competition is launched to recruit a company or consortium, based and registered in Angola with proven experience in the development of digital platforms.

Interested firms should submit their offers/quotations,  complying with all requiremnets,  not later tahn 5 August 2021 to the following email address: tendersangola.ao@undp.org