The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in partnership with the SA Innovation Summit (SAIS), will host the inaugural SA Innovation Week on March 16-20.
The Innovation Week marks a significant moment in the evolution of South Africa’s innovation ecosystem, introducing a nationally coordinated platform that brings together innovation, investment, research, industry and public-sector priorities in a more integrated and collaborative way.
The first phase (March 16-17) will see nationwide innovation showcase activities executed by ecosystem enablers in various provinces, culminating in a three-day innovation festival at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
“Fundamentally, SAIW’26 is about connecting entrepreneurs to capital and corporate supply chains and connecting capital and corporate to locally developed innovative technologies. One of the key challenges in the innovation value chain is ensuring that new technologies and innovations are commercialised,” Ismail Abdoola, acting chief executive officer of the TIA.
“We are proud to be part of this inaugural movement as it aligns with our strategic role as a connector, facilitator and enabler. The SA Innovation Week brings together critical parts of the system — research, funding, and industry — to help strengthen these much-needed linkages and accelerate industry development and sustainability.”
