SA, China widen cooperation in artificial intelligence
South Africa and China are expanding their cooperation in science, technology and innovation (ST&I), with plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence Talent Development and Innovation Centre in South Africa.
The initiatives were highlighted during talks between Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina and China's Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Zhang Guangjun, in Wuhan yesterday on the sidelines of the 2026 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum.
Dr Gina said the Artificial Intelligence Talent Development and Innovation Centre would help South Africa address digital skills gaps.
The proposed AI Talent Development and Innovation Center aims to bridge the country's digital skills gap, build innovation capacity and grow collaboration with Chinese institutions. Preparatory work is underway, and a Chinese technical team is expected to visit South Africa for a preliminary technical assessment of the project.
“The centre will strengthen innovation capabilities and deepen the bilateral cooperation between our countries in the field of artificial intelligence,” added the Deputy Minister.
Deputy Minister Gina expressed excitement at the cooperation between the two countries, which benefits the people and ensures science remains relevant to both economies.
“The China-Africa Innovation and Cooperation Development Forum remains important to South Africa, and we are ready, as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, to implement the agreements we have entered into,” said Dr Gina.
Vice Minister Zhang said under the leadership of Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Xi Jinping, relations between South Africa and China have grown steadily, with the cooperation deepening across many fields.
“President Xi has stressed that under this new partnership, both sides should pursue mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, AI and new energy,” said Mr Zhang.
This sets the direction and guiding principle for our cooperation in China-Africa science, technology and innovation, he added.
The meeting built on the elevation of South Africa-China relations in September 2024 to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, which identified the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) and new energy as strategic areas for mutual benefit.
Both sides welcomed the progress in their ST&I partnership and stressed the importance of turning scientific research into practical solutions that help economic development and improve people's lives.
South Africa has also identified advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and fifth-generation mobile technology (5G), as areas of priority for further engagement.
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) was also identified in discussions as a key basis for scientific collaboration. Both sides highlighted the need to strengthen links between universities, research institutions and industry, particularly to speed up the translation of research into economic and social applications.
Preparations for South Africa to host the Open Science International Conference in 2027, a joint initiative of China, South Africa, Brazil and the African Union, were also discussed during the meeting.
The two sides agreed on the necessity to keep their scientific and technical teams engaged, to develop specific projects, to review existing agreements and to draw up an action plan for implementation.
Discussions reaffirmed the strategic importance of ST&I for economic development, for building research and skills capacity and for the wellbeing of people in both countries.
Issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
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