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SA and China deepen cooperation in science, technology and innovation
DSTI
9 November 2026
3 min read
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The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, is leading a South African delegation to the 2026 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum in Wuhan, China, from 10 to 13 November.
The Forum is held under the theme “Working Together to Advance Modernisation Through Innovation Cooperation”. It brings together government and business leaders, researchers, innovators and international organisations to explore scientific and technological cooperation between Africa and China.
The initiative originated at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which called for the establishment of the Forum in the Beijing Action Plan of 2024, to focus broadly on joint initiatives to promote industrialisation and the increasing need for a specific platform to implement science and technology programmes.
On Wednesday, November 11, Deputy Minister Gina is scheduled to meet with China’s Vise Minister for Science and Technology, Zhang Guangjun, to review existing cooperation and explore opportunities to deepen the partnership. Later on the day, she will deliver opening remarks at the Forum on China-Africa Space Information Technology and Applied Science.
This forum will focus on practical applications of satellite remote sensing and aerial and airship platforms in precision agriculture, resource monitoring, and ecological protection; explore China-Africa aerospace data-sharing mechanisms and support pragmatic science and technology cooperation between the two sides.
On Thursday, 12 November, Dr Gina will explore smart hospital development and digital healthcare innovation with a visit to the Mindray Wuhan HQ. This visit will explore how the latest technological innovations can help develop smart hospitals.
South Africa’s engagement at the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum follows the expansion of its science, technology and innovation partnership with China into strategic areas including space science, artificial intelligence, hydrogen energy, agriculture, mining, traditional medicine and digital technologies.
The bilateral cooperation dates back to the agreement signed in 1999. Since then, scientists from both countries have carried out over 240 joint research and development projects through 16 joint calls for proposals.
The partnership was further strengthened in 2024 when the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) agreed to double the number of jointly-funded research projects from 15 to 30.
Funding agencies on both sides have allocated substantial financial resources over two years in various fields including ICT, life sciences, mining and metallurgy, space science and astronomy, agriculture, energy and marine technologies.
Bilateral cooperation is also expanding in space science. China and South Africa have launched the China-South Africa Belt and Road joint laboratory on aerospace information technology and applications, established by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Aerospace Information Research (AIR) Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The lab, which opened in April 2026, aims to boost research, innovation and application of aerospace information technologies for the benefit of all sides.
The two countries are also looking at closer cooperation in artificial intelligence. The DSTI is looking for opportunities to develop a Joint Research Center on AI and talent development and broader cooperation to strengthen South Africa’s research and innovation capabilities in emerging technologies.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Dr Gina said South Africa remains committed to working with China and its African partners to translate research and innovation into meaningful outcomes for sustainable development.
In the end, the Deputy Minister said: “We should measure the success of our cooperation not only by the technologies we develop but by the lives we improve”.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa, media liaison officer to the Deputy Minister, at 083 400 5750.
The Forum is held under the theme “Working Together to Advance Modernisation Through Innovation Cooperation”. It brings together government and business leaders, researchers, innovators and international organisations to explore scientific and technological cooperation between Africa and China.
The initiative originated at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which called for the establishment of the Forum in the Beijing Action Plan of 2024, to focus broadly on joint initiatives to promote industrialisation and the increasing need for a specific platform to implement science and technology programmes.
On Wednesday, November 11, Deputy Minister Gina is scheduled to meet with China’s Vise Minister for Science and Technology, Zhang Guangjun, to review existing cooperation and explore opportunities to deepen the partnership. Later on the day, she will deliver opening remarks at the Forum on China-Africa Space Information Technology and Applied Science.
This forum will focus on practical applications of satellite remote sensing and aerial and airship platforms in precision agriculture, resource monitoring, and ecological protection; explore China-Africa aerospace data-sharing mechanisms and support pragmatic science and technology cooperation between the two sides.
On Thursday, 12 November, Dr Gina will explore smart hospital development and digital healthcare innovation with a visit to the Mindray Wuhan HQ. This visit will explore how the latest technological innovations can help develop smart hospitals.
South Africa’s engagement at the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum follows the expansion of its science, technology and innovation partnership with China into strategic areas including space science, artificial intelligence, hydrogen energy, agriculture, mining, traditional medicine and digital technologies.
The bilateral cooperation dates back to the agreement signed in 1999. Since then, scientists from both countries have carried out over 240 joint research and development projects through 16 joint calls for proposals.
The partnership was further strengthened in 2024 when the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) agreed to double the number of jointly-funded research projects from 15 to 30.
Funding agencies on both sides have allocated substantial financial resources over two years in various fields including ICT, life sciences, mining and metallurgy, space science and astronomy, agriculture, energy and marine technologies.
Bilateral cooperation is also expanding in space science. China and South Africa have launched the China-South Africa Belt and Road joint laboratory on aerospace information technology and applications, established by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Aerospace Information Research (AIR) Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The lab, which opened in April 2026, aims to boost research, innovation and application of aerospace information technologies for the benefit of all sides.
The two countries are also looking at closer cooperation in artificial intelligence. The DSTI is looking for opportunities to develop a Joint Research Center on AI and talent development and broader cooperation to strengthen South Africa’s research and innovation capabilities in emerging technologies.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Dr Gina said South Africa remains committed to working with China and its African partners to translate research and innovation into meaningful outcomes for sustainable development.
In the end, the Deputy Minister said: “We should measure the success of our cooperation not only by the technologies we develop but by the lives we improve”.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa, media liaison officer to the Deputy Minister, at 083 400 5750.
