With accelerating advances in science and technology, the need for collaborative frameworks that bring together academic institutions, industries and international partners has never been more important. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) recognises this imperative and has taken various measures to foster collaborations in research and innovation across key sectors.

Minister Nzimande highlighted the need to harness international resources for South Africa's national system of innovation, stating that it promotes research, technological innovation and economic growth.

He made this remark on 15 October 2024 in an oral response to a question at the National Council of Provinces.

The NSI is the network of institutions – including universities, research entities and industries – that collectively contribute to the creation and application of knowledge. Collaboration among NSI stakeholders can help to solve critical societal challenges, stimulate economic growth and enhance the country's global competitiveness.

"One significant avenue through which the country enhances its NSI is by leveraging international partnerships, notably its participation in the European Union's framework programmes. This collaboration has led to substantial investments and opportunities for innovation across various sectors," said the Minister.

The benefits of international partnerships include access to funding and research infrastructure.

South Africa's involvement in Horizon Europe, the EU's main funding programme for research, development and innovation, enables the NSI to benefit from substantial financial resources for collaborative projects, enabling South African researchers and innovators to engage in high-impact research that might not be possible with domestic funding alone. Since 2021, 110 South African institutions have benefited from a net EU contribution of €53,2 million (approximately R1 billion).

Horizon Europe also provides access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise. In addition, by partnering with leading European research institutions and industries, South Africa can access cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. This collaboration helps enhance the quality and relevance of local research efforts.

The Department is also leveraging international training for South African students, with a focus on promoting Pan-African mobility. Minister Nzimande said this presented "significant opportunities for building skills, gaining experience, and establishing global networks."

Pan-African STI collaborations include African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiatives. With AfCFTA fostering intra-African trade, it is essential to integrate educational exchanges to build competencies in areas crucial for economic growth, like entrepreneurship, technology and trade logistics.

Building capacity for historically disadvantaged institutions and individuals to participate in international STI cooperation is a priority for the Department. Limited resources, infrastructure and awareness hamper their involvement in collaborations, and the DSTI therefore places a strong emphasis on raising awareness and providing targeted support to ensure inclusive participation in global STI initiatives.

To promote representation in academia and scientific research, the Department provides scholarships, fellowships and research opportunities to historically disadvantaged researchers and students through the South African Research Chairs Initiative and other programmes managed by the National Research Foundation.

The Minister emphasised that support for STI initiatives aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063 is key to achieving the continent's long-term socio-economic transformation goals.

"South Africa, playing a leadership role in preparing the successor strategy to the AU Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024), has an opportunity to shape and drive STI initiatives that are central to realising Agenda 2063," noted the Minister.

Championing STI initiatives in line with the Southern African Development Community's Regional Indicative Strategic Development Programme (RISDP) is crucial for fostering regional integration and socio-economic development. South Africa, through the DSTI, plays a pivotal role in building STI policy capacities within the region. The country's investments in areas like STI indicator development and other capacity-building initiatives directly contribute to achieving the objectives of the RISDP.

The Southern African Network for Biosciences is an example of a collaborative regional research initiative for addressing and resolving bioscience challenges in Southern Africa's health, nutrition, agriculture and environment sectors.

Implementing bilateral STI plans of action with fellow African governments is an important step in advancing the African STI agenda and fostering sustainable development across the continent. These partnerships enable countries to share knowledge, resources and innovations that address local and regional challenges.

A notable success in this area is the growing bilateral partnership between South Africa and Ethiopia on indigenous knowledge systems, which highlights the potential for collaboration in preserving and using Africa's rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. This collaboration is part of South Africa's broader effort to engage with other African nations in promoting the development, preservation and application of indigenous knowledge for sustainable development and innovation.

The DSTI and its Ethiopian partners focus on the documentation of indigenous knowledge practices, and research into its use in the fields of traditional medicine, agriculture and environmental sustainability. These efforts aim to prevent the loss of indigenous knowledge and to make it more accessible to modern scientific inquiry and innovation.

Engaging with global science leaders is a vital part of the DSTI's collaboration efforts, particularly through initiatives like the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa platform. This platform allows the country to align its national priorities with global scientific advances, foster international cooperation and position South Africa as a hub for science and innovation diplomacy on the continent.

South Africa's proactive approach to collaboration between academic institutions, industries and international partners will enable the country to keep apace with global advances in STI. Through strategic frameworks, innovation hubs, funding opportunities and international partnerships, the DSTI is paving the way for cutting-edge research and technological innovation. As these collaborative efforts continue to evolve, they hold the potential to not only transform the country's scientific landscape but also drive socio-economic development for years to come.