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 and the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone, will convene a two-day Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation from 18 to 19 June 2026 at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre, OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will deliver the opening address on 18 June 2026, setting the scene for high-level discussions on the role of innovation in advancing South Africa’s industrial development objectives.
On the second day, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau, will join the dialogue and deliver the Call to Action during the Ministerial Session, outlining key commitments and priorities emerging from the discussions.
The dialogue takes place within the context of significant economic, social and technological shifts that are reshaping South Africa’s development landscape. These include the country’s slow recovery after Covid-19, the acceleration of de-industrialisation, and the deepening of inequality – all of which have left many communities economically vulnerable.
At the same time, the importance of the just energy transition in response to climate change demands rapid shifts in energy, infrastructure, and industry. These structural shifts coincide with the rise of the fourth industrial revolution and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, which present both disruptive risks and powerful opportunities.
Collectively, these trends highlight the urgent need to reimagine and revitalise South Africa’s industrial base through innovation.
The policy dialogue aims 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 will also provide an opportunity to review existing policy instruments and interventions that support industrialisation and innovation, with a view to strengthening their effectiveness and impact.
A key focus of the dialogue will be catalysing debate, insight and action around industrial innovation and its responsiveness to emerging technologies, evolving market trends, sustainability imperatives and the country’s socio-economic priorities. Discussions will further explore innovation-driven industrialisation pathways through greater alignment between the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Decadal Plan and Sectoral Master plans, with particular emphasis on advancing green re-industrialisation.
The dialogue also seeks 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.
Participants will engage in presentations, panel discussions and facilitated group engagements structured around the following four thematic areas:
- Industrial policy coherence and innovation governance, which will examine the alignment of industrial and STI policies, strengthen institutional coordination and explore governance mechanisms to improve implementation and monitoring.
- Innovation for re-industrialisation and localisation, which will focus on technology-intensive industrial development, localisation strategies, import substitution, value-chain competitiveness and innovation incentives.
- Inclusive and transformational innovation ecosystems, which will explore approaches to expanding participation by women, youth and rural innovators, supporting black industrialists and fostering inclusive entrepreneurship, while addressing the future of work and green jobs.
- Regional integration and African competitiveness, which will examine opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and regional industrialisation initiatives, while identifying strategies to strengthen South Africa’s participation in regional and continental innovation networks.
To incorporate regional and international perspectives on innovation-led industrialisation, the Dialogue will feature participation from key multilateral and development partners. These include the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, the Southern African Development Community Secretariat, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Bank.
Drawing on their extensive expertise in industrial policy, regional integration, innovation systems, economic transformation and international best practice, these institutions are expected to enrich the Dialogue through comparative insights and practical lessons that can inform South Africa’s efforts to enhance industrial competitiveness and accelerate innovation-driven industrialisation.
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Kaamil Alli – Ministerial Spokesperson
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Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
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