The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau has called for stronger collaboration between government, industry, academia and labour to translate innovation into industrial capacity, and industrial capacity into jobs, investment and sustainable economic growth. Tau was addressing the inaugural National Policy Dialogue on Innovation and Industrialisation in Johannesburg today.
The dialogue was 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.
“We gather at a pivotal moment for South Africa and the global economy. Around the world, technological change, shifting geopolitical dynamics, climate imperatives and digital transformation are reshaping industries, value chains and patterns of economic growth. The question before us is clear: how do we position South Africa to compete, grow and create opportunities in this rapidly changing environment,” said Tau.
“The answer lies in innovation-led industrialisation. Innovation and industrialisation are mutually reinforcing. Innovation drives productivity, competitiveness and technological advancement. Industrialisation creates jobs, expands productive capacity and unlocks new opportunities for economic participation. Together, they provide a pathway to inclusive growth and sustainable development,” said Tau.
Tau said South Africa must acknowledge the challenges it faces. He said South Africa continues to confront declining industrial capacity, high levels of unemployment and the persistent gap between scientific research and commercial industrial application.
At the same time, he added that many developing economies face growing pressure from technological dependency, energy insecurity and intensifying global competition.
Against this backdrop, Tau said within these challenges lie significant, which are the world-class research institutions, a strong industrial foundation, abundant critical mineral resources and immense entrepreneurial potential.
“The task before us is to harness these strengths to build a more competitive, resilient and inclusive economy. This dialogue therefore represents more than a conversation. It is a call to action,” said Tau.
- A call to strengthen collaboration between innovation and industrial policy.
- A call to invest in advanced manufacturing, digital industries, green technologies and critical minerals beneficiation.
- A call to empower Special Economic Zones, Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and start-ups as drivers of innovation, localisation and job creation.
- A call to accelerate digital transformation and develop the skills required for the industries of the future.
- And a call to build industrial ecosystems that are inclusive, regionally distributed and capable of creating opportunities for all South Africans.
Most importantly, Tau called for partnerships, which he said could harness South Africa’s strengths to build a more competitive, resilient and inclusive economy. He said no single institution can achieve this transformation alone, therefore, government, industry, academia and labour must work together to translate innovation into industrial capacity, and industrial capacity into jobs, investment and economic growth.
“Let this dialogue mark the beginning of a renewed commitment to building a South Africa that is innovative, industrialised, globally competitive and inclusive. I encourage all participants to engage openly, think boldly and contribute meaningfully to shaping a shared vision for our industrial future. Together, we can position South Africa not merely to adapt to global change, but to help shape it,” said Tau.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau addressing the inaugural National Policy Dialogue on Innovation and Industrialisation in Johannesburg today.
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