The 6th edition of the International Symposium on Science and Technology (SIST) kicked off on September 21, 2026, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The event, organized by the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (USTA), and the CERBA Center, will run for six days. This year's theme is "Sciences, technologies, innovations, and endogenous knowledge for sovereignty and sustainable development in Africa."
The symposium has become a biennial event, with this being the sixth edition since its inception in 2016. According to General Célestin Simporé, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, the continuity of the event underscores its significance in the African scientific landscape. He commended the quality of contributions received for this edition, noting that SIST has established itself as a high-level scientific event on the continent.
The event aims to bring together researchers, academics, innovators, and development actors to discuss ways to leverage science and endogenous knowledge for African sovereignty and sustainable development. General Simporé highlighted the perfect synergy between public and private actors in organizing the event. He emphasized that the symposium is not only a scientific gathering but also an opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The president of the current edition, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, Pr Adjima Thiombiano, welcomed the theme of the symposium. He believes that combining modern science with endogenous knowledge can help produce solutions tailored to African realities. Thiombiano emphasized that the goal is to see how these two types of knowledge can be combined to achieve sovereignty in terms of solutions.
The 2026 edition has attracted 941 participants, including 572 oral communications, 215 posters, five panels, and seven thematic colloquia. Over six days, participants will share research results, compare experiences, and reflect on solutions to support Africa's economic, social, and technological transformations. The event provides a platform for scientists, innovators, and policymakers to engage in constructive dialogue.
The symposium's focus on endogenous knowledge and modern science reflects the growing emphasis on valorizing local competencies and resources in discussions on African development. By exploring ways to combine these two knowledge bases, the event aims to contribute to the production of context-specific solutions for Africa's development challenges.
The International Symposium on Science and Technology will conclude on September 26, 2026, after six days of intense scientific discussions and knowledge sharing. The event's outcomes are expected to contribute to the ongoing efforts to harness science, technology, and innovation for Africa's sustainable development and sovereignty.
Key points
- The 6th edition of the International Symposium on Science and Technology is being held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from September 21 to 26, 2026.
- The event has attracted 941 participants, including researchers, innovators, and development actors from across Africa and beyond.
- The symposium's theme focuses on leveraging science, technology, and endogenous knowledge for African sovereignty and sustainable development.
