Our research agenda
The Centre will pursue a focused and interdisciplinary research programme structured around thematic priorities that carry significant implications for South Africa’s economic growth trajectory, industrial competitiveness and the effectiveness of the national system of innovation.
- Hydrogen Economy
- Science & Innovation Parks
- Industrial Innovation
- Ekurhuleni University of Science & Innovation
- R&D Tax Incentives
- Equity Equivalent Investment
- Innovation Venture Fund
- Space Technology & the Digital Economy
The research agenda will concentrate on the following priority areas:
01Hydrogen Economy
Advancing South Africa’s emerging hydrogen ecosystem as a strategic pathway for industrial decarbonisation, technological development, value-chain localisation and export competitiveness.
02Science and Innovation Parks (SIPs) and Technology Development Zones
Examining the spatial, institutional and enabling infrastructure required to strengthen innovation ecosystems and support innovation-led industrialisation.
03Industrial Innovation
Investigating industrial innovation as a key driver of productivity, competitiveness, technological upgrading and inclusive economic growth within South Africa’s broader economic development strategy.
04Ekurhuleni University of Science and Innovation
Supporting research and policy development towards the establishment of an industry-oriented, dual-education institution designed to strengthen the interface between higher education, skills development, research and industrial demand.
- 05
ST&I Research and Development Tax Incentives
Assessing and strengthening fiscal instruments that incentivise private-sector investment in science, technology and innovation research and development, with particular attention to their effectiveness in stimulating additional business R&D expenditure.
06Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs)
Examining EEIPs as mechanisms through which multinational enterprises can contribute to South Africa’s socio-economic and industrial development objectives, including through approved investments that serve as alternatives to direct equity-ownership requirements under the B-BBEE framework.
07Innovation Venture Fund
Exploring the development of public venture-capital mechanisms capable of providing patient capital to finance, commercialise and scale science-, technology- and innovation-driven enterprises.
08Space Technology and the Digital Economy
Examining fast-emerging and cross-cutting domains that reshape the industrial landscape, including the space and aerospace economy, advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence and the data-driven economy, and critical-minerals and battery-value-chain localisation, so that the Centre’s agenda remains responsive to technological change and to national industrial-policy priorities as they evolve.
Partner with the Centre
We invite universities, research institutions and business partners to collaborate as research and co-authoring partners, founding and programme funders, data partners, and members of our Research Advisory Panel.