Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

16/09/2026

Africa must capture the true value of the Hydrogen economy

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina says Africa’s green hydrogen sector is entering a critical new phase, with projects moving from feasibility to large-scale deployment. science, technology, and innovation must ensure that

According to the Deputy Minister, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has a clear focus which maintains that growth must be accompanied by the development of local technology capability, intellectual property, skills, and industrial capacity. "We are not just participating in the green hydrogen economy; we are building it from the ground up."

For nearly two decades, South Africa has invested heavily in hydrogen RDI through the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Flagship Programme and the Hydrogen Society Roadmap. The results are tangible.

The Deputy Minister notes that capabilities across the entire hydrogen value chain—including catalysts, fuel cells, electrolysers, storage, metal hydrides, and refuelling technologies, has been developed.
"Most importantly, more than 70% of the intellectual property generated through HySA is linked to commercial products. This proves that our RDI investments are producing technologies with real, market-ready commercial potential."

The next step is bridging the gap: connecting these local capabilities to the growing project pipeline to move from the laboratory to testing, demonstration, commercialisation, and manufacturing. We are already taking practical steps: the launch of the Rapid Prototyping Training and Testing Facility and the deployment of a mobile hydrogen refueling station developed through HySA Infrastructure.

These platforms are exactly what is needed to validate and deploy homegrown innovations.

15/09/2026

The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit 2026 is underway in Cape Town, bringing together government, industry, investors, researchers and partners to advance Africa’s green hydrogen economy.

The programme opened yesterday with the Women in Green Hydrogen Luncheon, where Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, delivered a keynote address on the opportunities for women and Africa’s participation in the emerging green hydrogen sector.

As the Summit continues today, DSTI is showcasing South Africa’s research, development and innovation capabilities and contributing to discussions on the technologies, partnerships and investment needed to move the sector from ambition to implementation.

15/09/2026

"The Age of Digitality and the Future of Society: Rethinking Knowledge, Ethics, and the Role of the Humanities and Social Sciences"

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Annual Conference. tomorrow, Wednesday, 16 September.
Beyond the opening plenary, the conference will also unveil ground-breaking studies across critical sectors, including:

1. On digital innovation, health and indigenous knowledge:

• Digital innovation for public-private tuberculosis care integration in South Africa: Lessons from the Connect TB Study.

• Digitalising indigenous health knowledge systems: Inclusion of izangoma in South African chronic healthcare.

• Sustainable pathways for digitally managing, accessing, and promoting indigenous knowledge systems in South African mainstream education.

2. On democracy and elections – as South Africa heads to Local Government Elections in a few days, the following studies will be presented:

• Findings from the IEC Electronic Voting Policy Discussion Document.

• Voting behaviour and electoral trust: Evidence from the 2024 elections and the road to 2026.

• Identity politics, democratic trust and electoral realignment: Lessons from South Africa’s 2024 elections.

Follow the Minister's keynote and all the other sessions online, HSRC Annual Conference 2026: The Age of Digitality and the Future of Society_D1
https://youtube.com/live/w8q8YXdTe_A?feature=share

HSRC Annual Conference 2026: The Age of Digitality and the Future of Society_D2
https://youtube.com/live/aD8lXV1WfsY?feature=share

For more information about the conference, speakers and the programme, please visit: https://annual-conference.hsrc.ac.za/

14/09/2026

14/09/2026

A proud South African presence in Shanghai 🇿🇦🇨🇳

As Team South Africa concludes a successful participation in the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum, we look back on a week of proud moments, meaningful engagements, knowledge exchange and new opportunities for collaboration.

From the engagements in the South Africa Pavilion to the many conversations and connections made throughout the Forum, our participation as Country of Honour provided a valuable platform to showcase the strength and diversity of South Africa’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem.

A proud moment for Team South Africa, and the beginning of many more partnerships to come.

13/09/2026

Women in Green Hydrogen: advancing participation in Africa’s green hydrogen sector

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, will lead the Department’s participation in the Women in Green Hydrogen Luncheon at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit 2026.
The luncheon takes place on 14 September 2026, from 13:00–16:00, at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.
The engagement forms part of South Africa’s participation in discussions shaping Africa’s green hydrogen sector and the opportunities emerging from the transition to cleaner energy.
Green Hydrogen Update Nomalungelo Gina

13/09/2026

2 days to go until the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit 2026.

Taking place on 15–16 September 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, the summit will bring together stakeholders to advance Africa’s green hydrogen sector and explore opportunities for clean energy development across the continent.

The summit provides an important platform for dialogue on the role of green hydrogen in supporting innovation, investment and Africa’s transition towards a sustainable energy future.

Green Hydrogen Update

13/09/2026

The Country of Honour: South Africa’s STI Leadership at the Pujiang Innovation Forum 2026

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande, led a high-level South African delegation to the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, comprising senior leaders and experts from across the country’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem.

The delegation included senior executives from institutions such as the CSIR, NACI, the Technology Innovation Agency, as well as the DST & I, alongside senior officials and advisers to the Minister.

Their presence reflects the breadth of South Africa’s innovation capabilities, from research and basic sciences to technology development, policy and strategic leadership, and the importance of connecting these areas with international partners.

As Country of Honour, South Africa is using the Forum to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge and expertise, and advance opportunities for collaborative innovation.

13/09/2026

South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, held a high-level strategic meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Minister Yin Hejun, on the margins of the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum, Shanghai, China.

The bilateral engagement mainly focused on strengthening and expanding existing scientific cooperation between the two nations.

Key priority areas identified for deeper collaboration include: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing; Talent and youth development; Health innovation; Energy research and the establishment of science and technology parks.

Both ministers reaffirmed the solid bond of friendship between South Africa and China, shared a commitment to leverage science, technology, and innovation to build a more equal and humane world.

This strategic engagement comes as the two nations celebrate the 28th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the recent elevation of their bilateral relationship into an All-Round Strategic Partnership.

13/09/2026

South Africa takes centre stage as Country of Honour at the Pujiang Innovation Forum 2026!

The designation is a significant milestone for South Africa’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. Being named the Country of Honour at the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum places South African expertise right at the heart of one of China’s leading global innovation platforms.

The designation ensures South Africa’s scientific capabilities reach a global audience and opens new doors for cross-border knowledge exchange and joint research. It also ensures that an authentic African perspective impacts the future of global innovation.