South Africa strengthens SADC cooperation to enhance science, technology and innovation agenda – Tech Review Africa

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta
South Africa is intensifying efforts to strengthen regional cooperation on science, technology and innovation (STI) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as part of its broader strategy to drive inclusive growth and industrial development across the continent.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Nomalungelo Gina, recently held discussions with the department’s Multilateral Cooperation and Africa team, led by Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation and Resources, Daan du Toit.

The engagement focused on reinforcing partnerships with the SADC Secretariat and other regional stakeholders, particularly as South Africa assumes a leadership role through its SADC chairship.
Key areas of collaboration identified during the discussions include indigenous knowledge systems, open science, research infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and innovation-led industrialisation.
The Department emphasized the importance of positioning STI as a central driver of Africa’s economic transformation, highlighting the need to demonstrate its tangible economic value in supporting manufacturing growth, technological advancement, and value-chain development.

Officials also underscored alignment with continental and global frameworks, including the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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