Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

Scaling South Africa's Innovation: TIA's Strategic Vision.

At the Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation, Dr. Titus Mathe, CEO of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), highlighted a critical shift in focus: South Africa must move from policy formulation to rigorous implementation.

While the country has made significant strides in generating intellectual property and launching early-stage SMMEs, the next major hurdle is scaling these ventures. Dr. Mathe outlined TIA's strategy to bridge this gap through strategic partnerships with Special Economic Zones (SEZs). By integrating with SEZs, TIA aims to provide emerging enterprises with essential infrastructure and market access.

Furthermore, TIA will leverage its national network of Technology Stations to offer hands-on technical support, ensuring that no enterprise is left behind due to a lack of technical capability.

Moving from Policy to Action: Concluding the Inaugural Policy Dialogue.

In the closing address of the Inaugural Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation, the Acting Director-General, Ms Gugulethu Zwane outlined the critical next steps for South Africa's economic transformation through science, technology and innovation.

The presentation highlights eight strategic priorities to move the country from policy discussion to practical implementation. Key focus areas include the urgent shift from knowledge generation to active commercialisation, the repositioning of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) into integrated innovation ecosystems, and the strategic importance of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The address concludes with a strong call to action for deeper collaboration across government, academia, and the private sector. By addressing the funding gap, strengthening technical skills pipelines, and increasing national R&D investment, South Africa can successfully translate advanced research into global manufacturing competitiveness.

Driving South Africa's Re-industrialisation Agenda.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande participated in a live interview on Ukhozi FM during the inaugural Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation.

The Minister emphasized that although South Africa boasts a robust scientific system, sustainable economic advancement depends on converting research into practical manufacturing solutions. Achieving this will require stronger partnerships between academia, government, and industry.

Watch the full interview to learn more.

Gauteng’s Vision for a Digitally Enabled Future.

At the Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation, Mr. Bonginkosi Dhlamini, MEC for e-Government in the Gauteng Province, shared the province’s strategic vision for leveraging technology to address critical challenges and drive economic growth.

MEC Dhlamini emphasised that innovation in government is about more than just technology; it is about building a modern, responsive, and citizen-centred province. He outlined the Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to expanding secure, scalable digital infrastructure, connecting schools, hospitals, and clinics to ensure no resident is left behind in the digital economy.

A key highlight of his address was the announcement of the upcoming Provincial Artificial Intelligence Office. This dedicated office will coordinate AI development across the public and private sectors, ensuring ethical implementation and providing technical support to drive smarter governance and accelerated industrialisation.

MEC Dhlamini called on all stakeholders, from academia to industry, to partner with the province in building a smarter, future-ready Gauteng.

Unlocking Africa's Manufacturing Potential: Insights from Dr. Nomhle Ngwenya.

Dr. Nomhle Ngwenya, Advisory Board Member at the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), provided an insightful presentation on reversing South Africa's structural de-industrialisation at the Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation. Dr. Ngwenya highlighted the significant impact of deindustrialisation, citing the loss of over 300,000 manufacturing jobs. She emphasized the importance of regional integration and leveraging the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as key components of a strategic response.
She highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area, which connects a market of 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.

According to Dr Ngwenya it presents an extraordinary opportunity for South Africa. To capitalise on it, we must shift our focus from merely extracting commodities to building real production capabilities. By doing so, we can transform our economy from a supplier of raw materials into a global manufacturing hub.
The time is now to leverage our strategic infrastructure, such as Special Economic Zones, to support connected regional value chains.

The World Bank on Financing the Future of Innovation at inaugural Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation

Leading economist at the World Bank, Smita Kurakose highlighted the critical need for sustainable funding models to support South Africa's economic transformation.

Ms. Kurakose explained that government must step in during the "seed level" stage of technology development, as early-stage ventures are often too risky for commercial banks or venture capitalists. However, she cautioned that this kind of public sector support must be strategically managed.

Ms. Nontombi Maseko, Acting Chief Director at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, addressed the opening day at the inaugural Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation. She emphasized the importance of advancing the manufacturing sector as a cornerstone for economic development, job creation, and export growth.

Ms. Maseko detailed the DTIC's commitment to a sector-based approach to industrial innovation, underscoring the significance of embedding innovation throughout every development stage, reinforced by robust intellectual property protections and a unified national strategy. She also stressed the necessity for agility and focused priorities, advocating for enhanced collaboration between government and the private sector to ensure the effective funding and scaling of critical technology initiatives while minimizing resource fragmentation.

Building Industrial Competitiveness Through Innovation.

At the Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation, the Head of the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), Jetane Charsley, detailed the comprehensive role of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation in driving economic growth through science, technology and innovation.
Ms Charsley emphasized that achieving sustainable industrial competitiveness requires a comprehensive approach encompassing the entire value chain. The Department’s strategy is anchored on four key pillars: - Innovation Support: Facilitating research and development investment for businesses. - Technology Development: Prioritizing critical sectors such as health, green energy, agriculture, and space technologies. - Commercialisation and Market Adoption: Ensuring the effective transition of technologies from research to market application. - Innovation Ecosystems: Promoting regional collaboration through Living Labs and innovation portals. As Ms. Charsley stated, “Research creates knowledge. Innovation creates opportunities. And industrialisation will create impact.”