Dr Mahama Ouedraogo is the former Director of the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) of the African Union Commission. In this capacity, he oversaw the development and implementation of various African Union decisions on education, science and technology, including the Science Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25). He also contributed to the deliberation for the conception of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC). During his tenure as head of the division of Science and Technology and later as Director of the department, his focus was on the peaceful utilisation of space science and technology for African development as instructed by the AU Member States, first through the GMES and Africa support program and ultimately the conception, development of the African Space Policy and Strategy.
He was instrumental in organising and anchoring the work of the African space working group within the African Union Commission and advising the African space stakeholders at large. The Pan African University was also among his responsibilities. In addition, he supervised the activities of the Youth and Human development division and was the Executive Secretary of the African Union Scientific Technical and Research Commission.
Liaising with multiple partners in Africa and internationally to help mobilise much-needed resources for the programmes through MOUs and other implementation agreements. Before joining the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, he was the Acting Director of the Semi-Arid Food Grain Research & Development (SAFGRAD). He coordinated transnational agricultural research programmes in West and Central Africa, particularly within the ECOWAS region. Dr Ouedraogo holds a Doctorate in Plant Breeding from Texas A&M University.