South Africa’s DSTI prioritises innovation, energy transition, and research expansion in 2026/27 plan
Date: 2026-04-21
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
South
Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has outlined
an ambitious 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan focused on strengthening national
innovation capacity and advancing technological sovereignty.
Deputy
Minister Dr Nomalungelo Gina presented the plan earlier today, describing
2026/27 as a decisive delivery year for the country’s innovation agenda.
Despite fiscal constraints and global economic uncertainty, the department says
it will prioritise high-impact initiatives designed to convert public
investment into measurable socio-economic outcomes.
Key
areas of focus include accelerating the Hydrogen Society Roadmap and expanding
local vaccine manufacturing capabilities as part of efforts to strengthen
energy security and health sovereignty. The department also announced the
rollout of 41 new Research Chairs aimed at developing a new generation of
researchers, with a particular emphasis on supporting black and women
scientists.
The
DSTI further reaffirmed its commitment to advancing world-class scientific
infrastructure, including major national assets such as the Square Kilometre
Array and satellite-based systems for disaster monitoring and management.
According
to the department, these investments are intended to support data-driven
policymaking and enhance South Africa’s capacity to respond to environmental
and socio-economic challenges, including poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
The
DSTI said its approach integrates science, technology, and innovation as core
instruments for national development, with strengthened policy coordination
expected to improve the impact and scalability of research and innovation
outputs across key sectors of the economy.
