The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which falls under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has highlighted the success of its participation in last month’s Ministerial visit to China, when Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Professor Blade Nzimande attended the Second Ministerial Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology. The visit saw TIA strengthen its relations with institutions not only in China but also in other countries attending the conference (in which more than 100 countries and international organisations were represented).

“The [DSTI’s] Decadal Plan emphasises a shift to internationalisation from a singular focus on R&D to a science diplomacy approach focused on promoting collaboration on innovation,” explained TIA acting CEO Ismail Abdoola. “These partnerships – such as the ones we signed in China – contribute significant collateral capital in the form of funding, skills, market access, knowledge capital, technology development capabilities and facilities.”

Four TIA-supported startups formed part of the agency’s delegation to China. They were Microcare Energy, KTO Digital, uYilo, and AI Diagnostics. They secured connections that will be underpinned by the China Africa Innovation Corporation Centre, which exists to support Africa-China institutional collaboration. The TIA delegation was also able to meet with major Chinese corporations and institutions, such as BYD, the Climate Energy Centre, and Huawei. 

During the conference, TIA also signed a cooperation agreement with Cuban biotechnology company BioCubaFarma. This was focused on supporting innovation in pharmaceuticals and bio-based products. The negotiations which led to this agreement were started in April last year.

TIA’s relationship with China also formed part of South Africa’s overarching policy of strengthening its relations with the other countries in the BRICS Plus alignment. South Africa already had a number of bilateral innovation cooperation agreements with other BRICS Plus countries. These have led to joint projects in fields such as sustainable agriculture, green energy and digital entrepreneurship. For example, the TIA and Russia’s Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises recently issued a joint call for proposals for cooperation in technology development between South African and Russian enterprises.   

“Partnerships at local and international level remain an important enabler for TIA to succeed in executing its mandate,” said Abdoola. “Our visit to China helped secure several partnerships which we will nurture and grow as we deliver on our mandate to the innovators of South Africa.”