Pretoria: The Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) has signed another significant partnership aimed at enhancing science, technology, and innovation cooperation with Algeria. The partnership, known as the Plan of Action for 2026-2028, currently focuses on several strategic areas, including nuclear science and technology, the co-founding and implementation of the African Laser Centre (ALC), and the establishment of the Nanosciences African Network.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Plan of Action will also explore new areas of cooperation such as nanotechnology, renewable energy, nanomedicine, food and energy security, health innovation, vaccine development, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. While this is a joint programme, South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) will lead its implementation. The NRF, a government-mandated research and science development agency, funds research and the development of high-end human capacity and critical research infrastructure to promote knowledge production across all disciplinary fields.
The signing of the Plan of Action follows a visit by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande, who led a high-level South African delegation focused on science, technology, and innovation (STI) in Tunisia and Algeria. During the opening ceremony, Algeria’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kamel Bidar, and Nzimande delivered keynote speeches. Nzimande highlighted the special bond between South Africa and Algeria, noting their shared commitment to the advancement of the African continent.
Emphasising the strategic importance of cooperation in STI, Nzimande stated that both countries recognise the need to enhance their national scientific capabilities to address urgent national development goals and achieve higher levels of development. He believes that their shared conviction about the role of STI in development is a continuation of their liberation struggles, now focused on combating underdevelopment and fostering prosperity across the continent.
The department stressed that the signing of the Plan of Action is crucial for reinforcing both countries’ commitment to supporting key development programs on the African continent. These programs include Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the African Union’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2034).
In a related development, South Africa and Tunisia signed a landmark agreement on Tuesday aimed at scaling up collaboration in STI to deepen bilateral cooperation. The agreement, part of the Scaling up Tunisia-South Africa Strategy, includes a detailed plan of action and the formal minutes of a joint research call meeting.