The Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor is currently in the United States of America to strengthen science, technology and innovation partnerships.

Several leading academic, scientific and philanthropic organisations in the USA invited Pandor to participate in high-level science-related engagements in Washington DC from 4 to 7 August. These events have been organised on the margins of the United States-Africa Leaders Summit, hosted by President Barack Obama and attended by President Jacob Zuma.

The minister spoke on South Africa’s economic drivers during a panel discussion at the United States-South Africa Business and Investment Forum. She highlighted the critical role of innovation in South Africa’s growth and development strategies and the exciting potential for partnerships with US industry.

There are, for example, investment opportunities in South Africa’s health innovation sector, as well as energy and information and communication technology research initiatives.

Speaking about Investing in the next generation, at the Science at the Summit event, Pandor highlighted the important contribution that projects like the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, which Africa is co-hosting, would have in training the next generation of African knowledge workers.

She emphasised the importance of international partnerships in science, technology and innovation capacity-building in Africa.