South Africa strengthens Indigenous Knowledge Systems to drive innovation and inclusion
Date: 2026-04-09
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Deputy
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina has reaffirmed
the importance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) as a key driver of
innovation, economic inclusion, and sustainable development in South Africa.
Speaking
following an engagement with the Indigenous Knowledge Systems team at the
Department of Science and Innovation, the Deputy Minister highlighted progress
made since the adoption of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Policy in 2004 and
the enactment of the Indigenous Knowledge Act of 2019.
She
noted that these frameworks are repositioning indigenous knowledge from the
periphery to the core of South Africa’s national innovation system, while
ensuring legal protection and recognition for indigenous communities as
custodians of knowledge.
The
government has also established the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Office to provide a formal mechanism for safeguarding indigenous knowledge,
supporting ethical governance, and enabling structured participation in
innovation value chains.
Officials
said efforts to prevent biopiracy and enforce fair benefit-sharing arrangements
are central to ensuring that indigenous communities derive value from their
knowledge contributions.
The
engagement further highlighted the growing integration of indigenous knowledge
with modern scientific research, creating new opportunities for innovation
across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, biotechnology, and
sustainable manufacturing.
