Guidance

UK Science and Innovation Network summary: South Africa

Updated 30 May 2024

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1. Science and Innovation Landscape

Research in Numbers

South Africa is a leader in Science and Technology in Africa and is seen as a “gateway to Africa” for international researchers wanting to work on the continent. In 2021/2022 South Africa’s gross domestic expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) increased in real terms for the first time in three years to R27.756 billion. GERD as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) was 0.62% in 2021/2022, which is two basis higher that the 0.60% recorded in 2020/21 (DSI).

South Africa is currently ranked 59th in the Global Innovation Index 2023, its main innovation strengths being market capitalisation, expenditure on education, and logistics performance. (Source: https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-2000-2023/za.pdf)

Government Structures and Policies

The Department of Science and Innovation under Minister Blade Nzimande seeks to boost socio-economic development in South Africa through research and innovation. The department provides a leading role in administration, technology innovation, international cooperation and resources, research development and support and socio-economic innovation partnerships (Source: https://www.dst.gov.za/).

The Science and Innovation policy framework is guided by the White Paper on Science and Technology 2019 and South Africa’s Decadal Plan amongst others.

Reporting Agencies

The entities that lead implementation of Science and Innovation under DSI include:

2. UK partnership with South Africa on ST&I

The UK-South Africa science relationship has continued to flourish to become a key positive element in our wider bilateral, political relationship. The science partnership was further strengthened during South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to the UK in November 2022 where the UK and South African signed a new collaborative Science MoU. The two governments agreed eight new partnerships across health, science, green energy, technology, and economic cooperation.

3. SIN South Africa contacts

British High Commission Pretoria

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