There is no meaningful economic growth or significant job creation that can be achieved without a value-adding industrialisation pathway. This is according to the Acting Chief Director, Innovation and Technology at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nontombi Maseko. Maseko made the remarks during a panel discussion on Innovation as a driver of Industrialisation at the Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation Through Innovation, held under the theme Industrial Policy Coherence and Innovation Governance. The Dialogue is currently taking place in Johannesburg.
The dialogue is hosted by the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone, at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre, OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg.
“the dtic is advancing manufacturing to ensure that industrialisation is realised. Innovation is a central lever to re-industrialisation by improving productivity, supporting diversification, and enabling participation in high-value global markets. Furthermore, it raises productivity, deepens skills and strengthens export competitiveness and must be supported from idea to market entry and scale,” said Maseko.
Against this backdrop, Maseko added that the department plays a catalytic role through incentives, procurement, and sectoral interventions.
To accelerate the commercialisation of locally developed technologies for domestic and international markets, Maseko added that the dtic and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation co-developed the National Technology Commercialisation Strategy.
In addition, Maseko underscored the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation, as one that positions the country as a future global exporter, not just a supplier of raw minerals but a producer of clean energy and advanced industrial products.
“The industrialisation imperative is clear, if South Africa does not build local manufacturing capability for components such as electrolysers and fuel cells, the green hydrogen economy will generate export revenue without generating industrial jobs or building domestic capability,” added Maseko.
Furthermore, Maseko said that the dtic does not regard innovation as a separate policy domain. “Instead, innovation is embedded across every instrument we deploy. Procurement designations create markets, incentives support investment, Special Economic Zones provide the necessary infrastructure and space, while programmes such as the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII) and The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) fund technology development and sector Master plans help to coordinate the social compact required to drive industrialisation. Over the past five years, R49 million and R157 million was disbursed for SPII and THRIP respectively. Together, these interventions ensure that innovation remains at the centre of South Africa’s industrial development agenda,” said Maseko.
“Localisation strengthens capability, capability fuels innovation, and innovation drives industrialisation,” concluded Maseko.
The policy dialogue aimed to assess the current state of the country’s industrial innovation landscape, identify systemic challenges and highlight best practices across key sectors of the economy. It also provided an opportunity to review existing policy instruments and interventions that support industrialisation and innovation, with a view to strengthening their effectiveness and impact.
The dialogue was intended to strengthen coordination and collaboration among government departments, academia, policy research institutions, think tanks, industry, small business, innovation intermediaries and civil society organisations. The event aims to foster ongoing cross-sectoral engagement and partnerships that can accelerate innovation-led industrial development and economic transformation.
The Acting Chief Director, Innovation and Technology at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nontombi Maseko.
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