SA and Nigeria Renew Commitment to Science and Innovation Cooperation

Pretoria: South Africa and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI), emphasizing it as a priority within their science diplomacy agendas. The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Nomalungelo Gina, engaged with Alexander Temitope Ajayi, Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa, in Pretoria during the Nigerian Independence Day celebration to discuss operationalizing the Bilateral Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed in 2001. According to South African Government News Agency, the cooperation in STI between South Africa and Nigeria has been dormant despite both countries being significant players in Africa's STI landscape. The Deputy Minister highlighted the potential for collaborative research, technology transfer, capacity building, and joint innovation projects if the partnership is revitalized. She pointed out opportunities in renewable energy, health innovation, digital transfor mation, and space science, aligning with both nations' development priorities and the African Union's STI Strategy for Africa (STISA-2034). Ajayi expressed commitment to operationalizing the existing STI agreement, identifying several collaboration areas to explore during the upcoming binational commission in Abuja. He emphasized the role of technology in Africa's development, suggesting collaboration in digital technologies to position the continent as a leader. Ajayi proposed establishing a Special Technology Envoy on Digital and Emerging Technologies as a collaborative effort with South Africa, aiming to lead technology-related matters within the African Union and globally. The discussions also covered technical visits, people-to-people exchanges, and collaboration on research and development among universities in both countries. Reflecting on the historical ties between South Africa and Nigeria, Gina acknowledged Nigeria's support during the apartheid struggle and its leadership in African unity and dev elopment. She emphasized the responsibility of both countries, as Africa's largest economies, to drive the continent's development agenda and make innovation a cornerstone of growth.