Silicon Valley:Pretoria President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a high-level South African delegation to Silicon Valley, United States, next week to enhance the country's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and attract investment. The visit aims to position South Africa meaningfully in the rapidly evolving global technology landscape.
According to South African Government News Agency, the working visit from November 15 to 21, 2026, will include representatives from government, academia, and business. They will engage with leading technology companies, researchers, and AI specialists in California.
The visit forms part of South Africa's efforts to understand developments in artificial intelligence and learn from international experiences. Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya emphasized the importance of understanding the risks and challenges associated with AI and developing policies to support responsible AI adoption.
A significant event during the visit will be the Semafor Silicon Valley and the World engagement on November 16, where global leaders and experts will discuss technological developments and the evolving AI landscape. The delegation will also visit Stanford University, attend a workshop in San Jose, and engage with companies like Alphabet, Google, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, and Microsoft.
The visit aims to explore investment opportunities, infrastructure needs, and the development of an African AI economy. Discussions will focus on the infrastructure and investment needed for AI development, as well as the energy requirements of AI data centers.
The delegation will include ministers and senior officials from various sectors, supported by business leaders, academics, and technical experts. The engagements will cover a range of topics, including trade, investment, energy, higher education, and AI governance.
South Africa seeks to harness AI's potential while safeguarding digital sovereignty and data protection. The visit is expected to provide insights into South Africa's role in the global AI value chain and help inform policy and regulatory decisions to support AI adoption.