Minister Nzimande Calls for ELIDZ to Drive Innovation-Led Industrialisation in the Eastern Cape
17 OCTOBER 2026
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has called for the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) and its Science and Technology Park to become a leading platform for innovation-led industrialisation, supplier development and inclusive economic growth in the Eastern Cape.
Speaking during a high-level visit to the ELIDZ, Minister Nzimande said South Africa's industrial development must be underpinned by a robust, diversified and resilient National System of Innovation that connects research, skills and technology with production and the everyday development needs of communities.
"Special Economic Zones must be more than providers of land, infrastructure and incentives. They must become dynamic ecosystems where laboratories, incubators, training institutions, investors and manufacturers work together around shared industrial missions," Minister Nzimande said.
He said the success of SEZs should be measured not only by infrastructure and investment, but also by productivity gains, supplier upgrading, patents, prototypes, new products and services, skills development and competitiveness.
The Minister reiterated his proposal that the existing regional innovation forum be consolidated into a dynamic science, technology and innovation forum for Buffalo City.
The forum would coordinate institutions, identify development challenges requiring innovative solutions, connect those challenges with relevant expertise, and support science and technology parks linked to Special Economic Zones in the Eastern Cape.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, working through entities including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Technology Innovation Agency, has supported the ELIDZ through:
- Funding the feasibility study that led to the establishment of the ELIDZ Science and Technology Park, launched in 2014;
- Providing R2.4 million between 2018 and 2023 to the East London Regional Innovation Networking Platform, which reached 120 beneficiaries, including 17 technology-focused small, medium and micro enterprises;
- Supporting the integration of elements of the regional platform into the TIA–ELIDZ Science and Technology Park partnership; and
- Piloting a bio-entrepreneurship programme to help emerging enterprises convert locally available hemp and cannabis biomass into higher-value biomaterials and biochemicals.
Minister Nzimande further said the Eastern Cape's universities, public TVET colleges, ports, manufacturing assets, agricultural potential, renewable-energy opportunities, coastal resources and youthful population should be connected into a coordinated innovation ecosystem.
He highlighted East London's automotive base as a major opportunity to deepen advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and digital production capabilities.
The transition to electric and other new-energy vehicles, sustainable materials and circular manufacturing could also create new products, services and enterprises.
Closer collaboration among the automotive industry, the ELIDZ Science and Technology Park, universities, TVET colleges, science councils and the Technology Innovation Agency would help local innovators and emerging enterprises participate in evolving value chains.
"Innovation-led industrialisation must open opportunities for small enterprises, township and rural innovators, women-owned businesses and young people. The benefits must extend beyond the zone into Buffalo City, Mdantsane, surrounding towns and the wider provincial economy," the Minister said.
Minister Nzimande also called for stronger technology transfer, incubation, supplier development, access to research infrastructure and incentives for innovation and localisation.
"We must use the ELIDZ Science and Technology Park to move ideas into factories, prototypes into products and local solutions into markets," he said.
Media enquiries: Mr Veli Mbele, Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the Minister, Mobile: 064 615 0644, Email: Veli.Mbele@dsti.gov.za
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
