This briefing captures the outcomes of a high-level roundtable at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville. It argues for repositioning science, technology, and innovation (STI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a strategic investment class, rather than a donor-led sector, capable of delivering measurable development impact and competitive returns.

Authored by Dr. Raúl C. Rosales and Declan Kirrane, the report outlines a blueprint for scaling investment in STI infrastructure through blended finance, guarantee mechanisms, and capital market platforms. It highlights regional implementation pathways, particularly across Africa, and calls for multilateral development banks, governments, and institutional investors to rewire the financial architecture for STI, transforming grant-dependent science ecosystems into investable, innovation-driven markets.

The briefing calls on MDBs, DFIs, governments, and institutional investors to launch pilot STI finance platforms within 12 months, leveraging blended capital and university-anchored pipelines to mobilise private investment at scale. A global blueprint and series of follow-up dialogues will be advanced at UNGA80, the World Bank Spring Meetings, and other strategic forums.