Innovation
Innovation refers to the process of developing and applying new ideas, products, services or methods that create economic or social value. In a business and policy context, it covers activities ranging from research and development to the commercialisation of new technologies and processes. Innovation is widely regarded as a key driver of productivity, competitiveness and economic growth, and features prominently in national development strategies, including those of South Africa. It spans sectors such as manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, agriculture and energy, and increasingly incorporates digital technologies such as artificial intelligence. Governments, universities and research bodies, including entities such as the National Research Foundation, support innovation through funding, skills development and research partnerships. Private companies also invest in innovation to improve efficiency, develop new products and respond to changing markets. In South Africa, innovation policy is linked to efforts to diversify the economy, create jobs and build a skilled workforce, particularly in provinces such as Gauteng, which hosts major research institutions and technology hubs. Measures of innovation performance include patent filings, research expenditure and the number of researchers and skilled graduates produced. Challenges to innovation in developing economies often include limited funding, inadequate infrastructure and skills shortages. Policymakers and industry bodies frequently emphasise collaboration between government, academia and the private sector to strengthen innovation ecosystems.
Innovation Updates
SA: Blade Nzimande: Address by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, during a visit to the East London Industrial Development Zone and Science and Technology Park (16/10/2026)
16th October 2026 All these visits are connected and form part of our Ministry’s programme to strengthen the Department’s relationships with Special Economic Zones... →
Policy and institutional frameworks for science, technology and innovation parks: Proposed guidelines for developing countries
27th March 2026 Science, technology and innovation (STI) parks have become vital engines of social and economic development, supporting the creation, diffusion and... →
Wits ranked first for innovation performance
26th November 2025 Wits University has been recognised as the top-ranked university in Sub-Saharan Africa for innovation performance in the 2025 Global Innovation... →
Strengthening science, technology and innovation parks for industrial development through clustering
3rd September 2025 Science, technology and innovation (STI) parks are designated areas that foster innovation, technological development and economic growth by... →
South African companies aren’t innovating enough: why support during tough economic times matters
16th May 2025 South Africa’s innovation fund, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2025 state of the nation address, was a response to the country’s... →
South Africa’s state-owned entities are flagging – how innovation, research and development could revive them
12th March 2025 South Africa has about 700 State-owned enterprises. They operate across sectors like transport, energy and public utilities, and some are among the... →
The Global Cooperation Barometer 2025 – Second Edition
7th January 2025 Global cooperation is at a crossroads. While overall collaboration has flatlined, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions and instability,... →
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