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On 5 February 2025, the Cabinet approved Samoa’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, four months after it was validated by a workshop made up of representatives of both line ministries and the National University of Samoa. 

As the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries said at the time, multiple ministries had a stake in the policy as ‘science is everywhere’. The October workshop was hosted by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa and supported by UNESCO’s Office for the Pacific States, which has been accompanying the development of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy over the past few years. UNESCO will also be supporting the implementation phase, notably the development of implementation plans by each line ministry.

Despite a rich mix of national policies and strategies targeting development issues, Samoa had lacked an integrated strategy up to now for charting Samoa’s pathway towards sustainable development. 

With the adoption of the policy, this is no longer the case. The line ministries for health, environment, agriculture, education, communication technologies and so on will each have responsibility for implementing the policy in their particular area but the document’s integrated nature should also facilitate cooperation between ministries to tackle cross-cutting issues such as climate change or the need to green the economy.

Moreover, in order to ensure that the policy is adequately funded, the Ministry of Finance will be involved in policy implementation. 

A National Science, Technology and Innovation Committee will be established under the policy to coordinate implementation and monitoring by the different line ministries.

The National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy will also create linkages and synergies with the business sector, academic and research communities and with the non-governmental sector. 

Greater synergies both between line ministries and between sectors should facilitate both greater concertation between stakeholder groups and evidence-based decision-making. This should, in turn, make it easier to come up with policy solutions to cross-cutting issues, such as the risk of heavy metals accumulating in soils and aquatic environments as a corollary of Samoa’s industrial development without adequate safeguards in place.

In sum, the policy aims to enable different line ministries and different segments of society to work together to drive Samoa’s development in a coherent, coordinated way.

The policy prioritizes building strong science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education from early childhood to higher education. The aim is to enhance scientific literacy and digital skills to create a more skilled workforce but also to encourage more students to pursue careers in STEM, leading to advancements in fields such as agriculture, health and digital technology.

The policy cites low STEM enrolment rates and poor science and maths literacy as barriers to progress. According to the Annual Statistical Digest 2023, many students struggle with numeracy and scientific concepts, limiting their career opportunities in today’s technology-driven world.

The government will collaborate with schools, universities and international partners to improve curricula, train teachers and integrate digital learning tools. The National University of Samoa (NUS) and the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) will play key roles in research and knowledge dissemination.

The new policy aligns with Samoa 2040, which calls for a highly skilled workforce to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on imports. It also supports the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021–2026, which highlights education as a foundation for economic resilience.

The policy also complements a project currently being implemented by UNESCO. Between 2025 and 2027, UNESCO is establishing an analysis of STEM education in Samoa at school level but also as concerns technical and vocational education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, NUS, SROS and the teaching, training and business communities.

Rising food imports and declining local production have weakened Samoa’s agricultural sector. The policy aims to increase food self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported goods by supporting local farmers, agribusinesses and scientific research in agriculture. Through science-driven solutions, the aim is to enhance food production, processing and climate resilience in agriculture.

The policy supports precision farming techniques, improved soil and water management and innovative bioengineering to develop resilient crop varieties. SROS will be leading research on sustainable approaches to food production and farmers will be receiving training in modern agricultural practices.

The policy aligns with the Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Sector Plan 2021–2025, which seeks to modernize agriculture and promote agribusiness growth. It also supports the National Adaptation Programme of Action, which highlights climate-smart agriculture as a key strategy for resilience.

According to Samoa ICT performance indicators covering the years 2007–2018, limited internet penetration and high digital costs have restricted economic growth. By investing in digital services, the policy seeks to bridge the digital divide and unlock new economic opportunities.

The policy prioritizes Samoa’s digital transformation, including the use of digital technologies in education, expanding e-government services and improving digital infrastructure to connect citizens and businesses more effectively.

By improving internet access, cybersecurity and digital public services, the policy aims to boost efficiency, transparency and economic participation in Samoa.

The government will be enhancing  infrastructure in information and communication technologies (ICTs), investing in broadband expansion and developing secure online platforms for the delivery of public services such as healthcare, taxation and business registration.

The policy supports the Samoa National Digital Economy Strategy (2021–2025) and the Pacific Digital Strategy. Both call for greater digital inclusion, innovation and growth in e-commerce.

The policy acknowledges that entrepreneurship will be vital to reduce youth unemployment and drive economic resilience. With over 30% of young Samoans unemployed, according to the recent Samoa Labour Force and Child Labour Survey (2022), innovation-based job creation is a key priority.

The policy will provide funding, training and legal support for start-ups and small businesses, such as by simplifying intellectual property protection laws.

The government will also be establishing innovation hubs and offering grants to new businesses to encourage entrepreneurship and technology-driven businesses. 

In this area, the policy aligns with Samoa 2040’s vision of an innovative economy and with the Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Development Strategy, which aims to empower small businesses through technology and investment.

The policy recognizes the importance of both modern science and traditional knowledge in solving Samoa’s challenges. The goal is to blend indigenous wisdom with scientific research to create context-specific solutions for healthcare, conservation and disaster resilience.

The policy supports collaboration between researchers, elders and traditional healers to document and apply indigenous knowledge. It also promotes ethical guidelines for integrating traditional practices into modern medicine, conservation and land management.

This approach aligns with Samoa’s National Environment Sector Plan 2021–2026, which emphasizes community-based conservation. It also supports the Samoa National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which aims to protect Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity.

In sum, the policy provides a comprehensive roadmap for progress. By aligning with national plans and strategies, this umbrella policy recognises the transversal nature of science, technology and innovation and its role as a driving force for national development.

With strong government leadership, private sector participation and community engagement, this policy has the potential to reshape Samoa’s future for generations to come.