Prof Gomez made this pronouncement following government’s approval of the papers for the Ministry’s interventions, which include the transformation of Management Development Institute into a Civil Service University.
He said the NARIF establishment would also initiate an ambitious national program that involves support to all incubators and accelerators by inducing a dynamic force of research and innovation in partnership with stakeholders.
It would ensure government put in place robust awareness campaign across all levels of the quadruple-helix, which includes government, academia, industry, and society.
Overall, he said, the establishment of the NARIF sits positively along the pronouncements of the National Research Policy (2024 -2029) and the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (NSTIP 2016 – 2025).
He further explained that the NARIF establishment would also address the key transformation agenda of the government in its determination to support innovation and technology development as well as enhancing skills acquisition for women, girls, youth and the differently-abled.
“The Gambian government aims to build a critical mass of viable, competitive, and productive capacity in research and innovation to achieve the structural transformation of its economy as enshrined in the MoHERST Strategic Plan, 2021 – 2025,” he advanced.
He added: “The Government aims to improve conditions to enhance the national environment for the growth of entrepreneurship, investment opportunities, business development and the well-being of civil society.”
According to Prof Gomez, the Gambian research and innovation landscape needs a funding and governance mechanism that would serve as a critical enabler for the transitioning of The Gambia into a middle-income country.
Upon enactment, he added, the Fund would support the national research and innovation system, through the provision of seed money for start-ups, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators.
He said NARIF would be managed by a Board of Trustees to be established by he as the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in due consultation with the President.
He concluded that the Innovation Fund would be accessible to all researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs in supporting them with their respective activities.
Furthermore, he said, the Fund would support research and development in tertiary and higher education, research institutions, digital technologies, health, agriculture, creative industries, indigenous technologies, and intellectual property rights.
