The South African Minister if Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande is set to lead a delegation to the 2026 Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, China from 11 – 14 September.
This year’s theme is “Sharing Innovation and Shaping the Future: The Mission of the Global Sci-Tech Community amid a New Round of Sci-Tech Revolution.”
According to the statement, the South African delegation will include representatives from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and institutions across the National System of Innovation. The participating institutions will showcase their research, technological innovations and collaborative programs through a dedicated national pavilion.
Nzimande said, “South Africa’s participation in the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum carries profound significance, particularly as we have been designated Guest Country of Honor. This prestigious role places South Africa at the center of one of the world’s premier scientific and technological exchanges.”
He added that the forum also provided an opportunity to showcase South African advances in science, technology and innovation while strengthening science, technology and innovation relations between South Africa, Africa, China and the broader Global South.
Nzimande expressed his hope that the forum would strengthen institutional partnerships, support collaborative research and innovation initiatives, and create new opportunities for South African researchers, innovators, science councils, universities and industry partners to engage with counterparts from China and other countries.
Among other things, the delegation is expected to articulate Africa’s science, technology and innovation (ST&I) agenda, as articulated in the African Union’s ST&I Strategy for Africa.
The country’s participation in the Forum as the Country of Honor – the first African country to receive the designation – coincides with the celebration of 28 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and the global economic powerhouse.
In March 2026, the two nations convened the 9th Bi-National Commission in South Africa during the working visit by Vice President, Han Zheng of the People’s Republic of China. The Bi-National Commission looked at advancing shared modernisation, and for the two nations to strengthen partnerships and cooperation to respond to the changing global environment, while advancing inclusive growth, industrial development and technological progress.
“As the first African country to be designated country of honour, we also view our participation in the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum as a unique opportunity to advance Africa’s science, technology and innovation agenda, as articulated in the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034),” said the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) statement.
During the quest, the Minister and his delegation will engage in a litany of lined up sessions. These include site visits, bilateral meetings and a banquet across various locations in Shanghai.
The scheduled engagement will see South Africa showcase its science, technology and innovation capabilities. The delegation is also expected to promote research, technology transfer and investment partnerships, as well as position South Africa as a gateway to African innovation ecosystems.
