The concern was highlighted during the UN Science and Technology Forum 2026, where early‑stage innovators showcased practical solutions ranging from healthcare delivery to renewable energy.
SORA Technology Co-founder Masaki Umeda said the company shifted focus after recognising urgent needs in Africa’s fight against malaria. “We fly drones in targeted areas and collect raw data, then artificial intelligence (AI) tools identify the location and characteristics of breeding sites,” Umeda said.
Umeda explained that the technology helps governments target mosquito breeding areas more precisely, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
The initiative reflects broader innovation trends emerging from collaboration with local institutions and governments, particularly in resource‑constrained environments.
UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua said such innovations demonstrate the importance of partnerships and scalability. “Innovation is most effective when paired with collaboration, local ownership and clear pathways to scale,” Junhua said.
Despite these successes, UN officials warn that many innovators remain excluded from global markets and financing systems.
President of the UN Economic and Social Council Lok Bahadur Thapa highlighted a widening gap between innovation and access. “This is not a gap in innovation. It is a gap in inclusion,” Thapa said.
Thapa said many innovators lack access to investment and distribution channels, limiting the reach of potentially life‑saving technologies. “Too many innovators remain disconnected from finance and markets,” Thapa said.
The issue is particularly acute in the Global South, where structural barriers such as limited infrastructure, funding constraints and digital divides persist.
Computer Science Professor and researcher Rita Orji said talent in developing regions is often overlooked despite strong capabilities. “Extraordinary talents are locked out not because they lack ability but because they lack access,” Orji said.
Orji said current models of technology development often exclude local perspectives, reducing the effectiveness of solutions. “That model is backwards the Global South should help lead in shaping what intelligence becomes,” Orji said.
Orji also warned that many AI systems are not designed with diverse users in mind, limiting their real-world impact. “Most AI tools assume users are literate, English-speaking and digitally fluent,” Orji said.
Orji said this creates solutions that are “technically brilliant but developmentally useless” for many communities.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
