By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
South Africa and China are
advancing discussions on the proposed establishment of an Artificial
Intelligence (AI) Talent Development and Innovation Centre in South Africa, as
the two countries seek to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
The initiative was a key
focus of a bilateral meeting between South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Science,
Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, and China’s Vice Minister of
Science and Technology, Mr Zhang Guangjun, on the sidelines of the 2026 China-Africa
Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum in Wuhan, China.
Dr Gina said the proposed
centre had the potential to address South Africa’s digital skills gap,
strengthen its innovation capacity and expand opportunities for collaboration
with Chinese institutions.
Preparations are underway,
with a Chinese technical expert team expected to visit South Africa for a
preliminary assessment of the proposed initiative.
The bilateral engagement
also reviewed progress under the joint Young Scientists Exchange Programme,
which has already enabled ten young South African scientists to participate in
exchanges between the two countries.
Dr Gina said finalising the
programme’s implementation plan would be important in sustaining the initiative
and strengthening scientific cooperation.
The discussions further
explored opportunities for collaboration in advanced manufacturing, artificial
intelligence, biotechnology and fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications, while
recognising the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) as an important foundation for
scientific collaboration between South Africa and China.
Dr Gina also highlighted
opportunities presented by South Africa’s designation as the guest country of
the 2026 Pujiang Innovation Forum, which will provide a platform for the
country to showcase its innovation capabilities and identify new partnerships.
South Africa’s hosting of
the Open Science International Conference in 2027 is expected to provide
another platform for international scientific engagement.
Emphasising the need to
translate research into practical development outcomes, Dr Gina said: “Our
priority must be to move beyond research collaboration towards translating
scientific knowledge into technologies, skills, industrial opportunities and
solutions that improve people’s lives.”
She added that science,
technology and innovation must remain central to South Africa’s development
ambitions.
