South Africa’s scientific and technological capabilities will this week come under the international spotlight when it participates as Country of Honour at the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, China.
This colossal task, from 11 - 14 September, will rest on the shoulders of a distinguished delegation of South African scientists, innovators and researchers that will be led by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Prof. Blade Nzimande. The industry representatives will gather to discuss emerging technologies and deepen international cooperation.
Among other things, the delegation is expected to articulate Africa’s science, technology and innovation (ST&I) agenda, as articulated in the African Union’s ST&I Strategy for Africa.
The country’s participation in the Forum as the Country of Honor – the first African country to receive the designation – coincides with the celebration of 28 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and the global economic powerhouse.
In March 2026, the two nations convened the 9th Bi-National Commission in South Africa during the working visit by Vice President, Han Zheng of the People’s Republic of China. The Bi-National Commission looked at advancing shared modernisation, and for the two nations to strengthen partnerships and cooperation to respond to the changing global environment, while advancing inclusive growth, industrial development and technological progress.
“As the first African country to be designated country of honour, we also view our participation in the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum as a unique opportunity to advance Africa’s science, technology and innovation agenda, as articulated in the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034),” says the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in a programme presentation document.
During the quest, the Minister and his delegation will engage in a litany of lined up sessions. These include site visits, bilateral meetings and a banquet across various locations in Shanghai.
The scheduled engagement will see South Africa showcase its science, technology and innovation capabilities. The delegation is also expected to promote research, technology transfer and investment partnerships, as well as position South Africa as a gateway to African innovation ecosystems.
The programme will see delegates engage in forums and exhibitions exploring topics ranging from climate change and sustainability, health innovation and biotechnology, and space science and astronomy.
A dedicated South African pavilion will present locally developed technologies aimed at addressing social, environmental and economic challenges. Exhibits are expected to include climate-intelligence tools for farmers, hydrogen technologies, earth-observation applications, climate-smart mushroom farming and assistive technology for people with visual impairments.
Other displays will highlight smart energy-data management for municipalities, indigenous medicine research, radio astronomy, sustainable farming, wildfire disaster-management technology and marine and environmental observation.
Participating institutions include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; Technology Innovation Agency; the South African National Space Agency; National Research Foundation, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory; Agricultural Research Council, and several universities. -SAnews.gov.za
