South Africa strengthens SADC cooperation to enhance science, technology and innovation agenda
Date: 2026-04-15
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.
