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Prof. Blade Nzimande on Driving South Africa's Re-industrialisation Agenda
18 - 19 June 2026
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande participated in a live interview on Ukhozi FM during the inaugural Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation. The Minister emphasized that although South Africa boasts a robust scientific system, sustainable economic advancement depends on converting research into practical manufacturing solutions. Achieving this will require stronger partnerships between academia, government, and industry.
During the launch of the 41 new Research Chairs, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, addressed the persistent "Innovation Paradox" facing the country and highlighting insights from the 2025 Indicators report
16 April 2026
During the launch of the 41 new Research Chairs, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, addressed the persistent "Innovation Paradox" facing the country. While the South African research system is excellent at generating knowledge, there has been a concerning decline in patent registrations, dropping from 36.3 per million people in 2022 to just 18.6 in 2023. Furthermore, the latest indicators report shows that the country is importing ten times more intellectual property than it is exporting. The newly awarded Research Chairs are viewed as a critical response to this paradox, driving the need to commercialise research at a desired scale and translate academic publications into tangible new industries.
The Chairperson of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), Mr. Tilson Manyoni, officially opens the launch of the 2025 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators Report.
26 March 2026
The Chairperson of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), Mr. Tilson Manyoni, officially opens the launch of the 2025 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators Report. This welcoming address outlines the expanded scope of the 2025 report, which now features crucial new metrics for international benchmarking, health innovation, energy innovation, and high-tech industrialisation. Operating on the principle that it is impossible to improve what is not measured, NACI has broadened its data collection to ensure the national innovation system actively drives inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.
Data Visualisation: Key Highlights of the 2025 STI Indicators Report by former ACEO Ms Anneline Morgan
26 Marrch 2026
The former Acting CEO of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), Ms. Anneline Morgan, provides a comprehensive visual breakdown of the data driving the 2025 STI Indicators Report. This presentation summarises the core systemic challenges facing the national economy. Ms. Morgan unpacks the declining global competitiveness metrics, noting that government efficiency and infrastructure currently rank in the bottom ten. The presentation further explores the stagnation in research and development investment, warning that the nation is five years away from the 2030 target of 1.5% without significant acceleration. Crucially, the data highlights a severe misalignment in skills development, with a drop in STEM graduates and an underproduction of artisans from TVET colleges. While digital government services have strengthened, Ms. Morgan stresses that true economic growth must be inclusive, pointing out that high connectivity costs still exclude the majority of households from the digital economy.
The Hard Truth: Systemic Challenges in the 2025 STI Indicators Report s
This segment unpacks the hard truths within the national innovation system. Data reveals a concerning drop in global competitiveness and a decline in Gross Expenditure on Research and Development to just 0.61% of GDP. The presentation also highlights a severe trade imbalance in intellectual property, noting that the country imports significantly more knowledge than it exports. Furthermore, the discussion addresses a critical skills misalignment, with only 29% of graduates entering STEM fields, and points to stagnant manufacturing output as a major productivity challenge.
Bridging the Skills Gap: Minister Blade Nzimande Unpacks the 2025 STI Indicators
In this Radio 2000 broadcast, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, breaks down the critical findings of the newly launched 2025 STI Indicators Report. While celebrating national milestones such as achieving gender parity among academic staff and a tripling of venture capital investment, the Minister addresses the urgent systemic challenges facing the economy. The discussion highlights a severe skills bottleneck, noting that only 29% of university graduates enter STEM fields due to low mathematics and science pass rates at the basic education level. Furthermore, Prof. Nzimande points out a concerning decline in private sector research and development investment, emphasising that the state currently carries the majority of this funding burden. To drive sustainable economic growth, the Minister calls for the establishment of innovation hubs and technoparks across all provinces, urging the private sector to help translate academic research into commercialised technological products. How can the nation improve basic STEM education to build a more innovative future? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and subscribe for more insights into national development.
Anneline Morgan / former acting CEO: National Advisory Council on Innovation. ON About Naci and G20 insights
South Africa successfully hosting the third G20 Research and Innovation Working Group and the Chief Science Advisers' Roundtable, marking a significant moment in the country's G20 presidency. The gathering in Pretoria brings together science and innovation leaders from G20 member states, guest countries, and global institutions to shape a shared agenda for sustainable development. Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Advisory Council on Innovation Anneline Morgan says it is an opportune time to use the G20 presidency to leverage all resources from different countries, as the G20 brings in diversity. Ms Anneline Morgan / former Acting CEO: National Advisory Council on Innovation.