By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang has highlighted South Africa’s
innovation, entrepreneurship, research and creative ecosystems following his
first official visit to the country, saying it is well placed to translate more
ideas into economic and social impact.
Tang said his visit provided
an opportunity to better understand the current state of South Africa’s
innovation and creative ecosystem, as well as its future direction. He pointed
to the country’s long tradition of science and research, strong industrial
base, growing start-up ecosystem and vibrant community of entrepreneurs and
creators.
He also highlighted South
Africa’s cultural diversity and the contribution of traditional knowledge and
wisdom from its different communities, alongside the growing influence of young
artists such as Tyla and music genres including amapiano and popiano on global
culture.
During meetings with
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister of
Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry
and Competition Zuko Godlimpi, and Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Peace Mabe, Tang said he observed a shared sense of momentum and ambition to
place innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity at the centre of South
Africa’s development.
A key message from the
discussions was that innovation should serve as a tool for delivering practical
impact by translating ideas into jobs, businesses, economic growth, development
and wider benefits for society.
Tang also held discussions
with RMB – Rand Merchant Bank on strengthening innovation financing ecosystems,
including venture capital and other forms of risk financing, to help innovators
and entrepreneurs scale their ideas.
He said converting
innovation into economic and social value requires more than talent and
creativity, pointing to the importance of access to investment,
commercialisation expertise and effective use of intellectual property.
The visit also focused on
concrete areas of collaboration, including new programmes with the University
of the Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria. Discussions also covered
support for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in
further refining its technology transfer ecosystem, as well as support for
creatives and the amapiano community and other initiatives at the national
strategic level.
Tang said emerging
technologies such as artificial intelligence are continuing to reshape
industries and create new opportunities, making it important to ensure that
innovators and creators can participate in and benefit from the transformation.
He said South Africa is well
placed to harness these opportunities and translate a greater number of ideas
into economic and social impact.
