Capacity Building for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Science, Engineering, and Technology: A Strategic Review

Capacity building has emerged as a fundamental strategy for achieving inclusive and sustainable development,
particularly in science, engineering, and technology (SET), where innovation drives socioeconomic
transformation and environmental sustainability. Despite significant advances in scientific knowledge and
technological innovation, many developing countries continue to face persistent challenges, including inadequate
technical expertise, weak institutional capacity, limited research infrastructure, and unequal access to quality
education and technological resources. This paper examines the critical role of capacity building in strengthening
human capital, institutional effectiveness, innovation ecosystems, and equitable access to SET for sustainable
development. The study adopts a narrative review methodology, guided by an explicit review protocol, to
synthesise evidence on capacity-building strategies and their contribution to inclusive and sustainable
development. A structured search of Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, IEEE Xplore, and
Google Scholar, conducted in March 2025 using defined search strings and inclusion/exclusion criteria, initially
identified 214 records; after screening, 96 sources (72 peer-reviewed journal articles and 24 institutional or
policy reports) published between 2008 and 2024 were retained for thematic analysis. The analysis is anchored
in an integrated conceptual framework combining Human Capital Theory, Innovation Systems Theory, and the
Capability Approach. The review identifies educational reform, technical and vocational skills development,
innovation promotion, digital inclusion, interdisciplinary collaboration, supportive policy frameworks, and
strategic partnerships as key drivers of sustainable capacity development, while highlighting major barriers such
as inadequate funding, brain drain, gender disparities, infrastructural deficits, and weak policy implementation.
Five illustrative case studies are examined using a consistent context-intervention-outcome-limitation-lesson
structure, and the discussion moves beyond description to critically assess implementation contradictions,
sustainability risks, and financing constraints. The paper concludes with stakeholder-specific, time-bound
recommendations, each linked to required resources and measurable indicators, for governments, higher
education institutions, industry, development partners, and researchers seeking to strengthen national and
regional innovation systems in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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