Department of Science, Technology and Innovation minister professor Blade Nzimande.
Science, know-how and innovation minister Blade Nzimande has as soon as once more advocated for improved high quality of arithmetic and science education in public faculties.
This, he recognized, is among the many vital areas that can assist African nations to chart their very own sovereign analysis agenda.
Nzimande was talking on the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA), which is being held underneath the theme: “Placing science, technology and innovation at the centre of government, education, industry and society.”
Now in its tenth yr, SFSA 2025 has introduced collectively over 6 000 contributors, together with scientists, policymakers, youth innovators, entrepreneurs and civil society representatives.
The minister defined {that a} sovereign analysis agenda for Africa is one designed, funded and directed primarily based on African priorities and issues.
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“[It is] not based on the generosity of external donors,” he stated. “We do need and use donors, but the agenda must be African. Donors must be flexible to give donations allowing Africa to pursue its own sovereign agenda.”
Further advocating for a analysis framework designed round African priorities, Nzimande stated African nations should construct sturdy and accessible science infrastructure and regional networks which can be accessible to all scientists and researchers throughout the continent.
He highlighted the necessity to create institutional and policy mechanisms to reverse the lack of vital expertise and mental property, in addition to enhance investments in analysis and improvement (R&D).
“As African countries, we must develop closer articulations between science, technology and innovation, and industry and economic networks to enable tech-commercialisation and increase the scale and support for technology-driven SMEs [small and medium enterprises].
“We need to develop a coherent strategy to use artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to enable the implementation of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa.
“Perhaps most importantly, African countries must significantly increase their expenditure on R&D as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP).”
In SA, statistics printed by the National Survey of Research and Experimental Development (R&D survey) confirmed R&D funding rebounded final yr, after three years of decline.
The R&D survey is produced yearly by the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, with help from Statistics South Africa, on behalf of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). It offers an replace on SA’s R&D statistics, measuring the scale, development and composition of R&D when it comes to expenditure, funding and personnel.
The survey is printed a yr later as a result of it covers precise expenditure and never projections, as beforehand revealed by a DSTI official.
In actual phrases, final yr’s survey confirmed that gross home expenditure on analysis and improvement (GERD) grew by 6.9% year-on-year in 2021/22, from R25.9 billion in 2020/21 to R27.8 billion in 2021/22.
The R&D survey exhibits GERD as a proportion of GDP was 0.62% in 2021/22, which is 2 foundation factors increased than the 0.60% recorded in 2020/21.
“Unlike the 6% contraction in GDP witnessed during the COVID pandemic in 2020, South Africa experienced a notable recovery, with a 4.7% increase in GDP in 2021. The increase in GERD was driven by the R&D expenditure from the business sector,” famous the survey.