South Africa has long been a leader in scientific research and innovation on the African continent. Despite this strength, the country appears to be unable to translate and implement this expertise to address the triple challenge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. This project asks why. It explores how science, innovation, and research have been shaped by history, power, and policy—and what must change to make them more inclusive and effective.
The study looks at how South Africa’s innovation system has developed since apartheid, focusing on who has benefited from it, what kinds of knowledge have been valued, and how institutions have responded to national goals. It proposes new ways of thinking about innovation: not just as a driver of business or technology, but also as a public good that should improve people’s lives.
The research will draw on documents, interviews, data, and case studies. The goal is to write a book that tells this story and offers fresh ideas for South Africa and other countries of the Global South to tackle these problems. The project is designed to spark conversations across academia, business, policy makers and civil society.