South Africa and Tunisia have officially deepened their bilateral relations through a landmark science, technology, and innovation (STI) partnership agreement signed earlier this week. The agreement, formalised during South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande’s official visit to Tunisia, aims to scale up collaborative research, skills transfer, and innovation programs between both nations.
Scaling Up Tunisia–South Africa Strategy: Key Focus Areas
The newly signed partnership is framed under the Scaling up Tunisia–South Africa Strategy, which outlines a comprehensive Plan of Action and Joint Research Call Meeting Minutes. According to official sources, the focus areas include:
- Exchange Programme and Networking
- Inter-Institutional Cooperation
- Joint Research Programmes
- Intellectual Property Rights Management
- Knowledge and Skills Transfer in Innovation
- Participation in International Science Programs
- Science Governance and Policy Development
These initiatives are set to drive sustainable development solutions for both countries, addressing critical areas such as:
- Youth employment and skills development
- Healthcare innovation
- Food sovereignty
- Water and energy security
- Climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation
- Digital transformation
Leaders Affirm Strong Bilateral Relations
During the signing ceremony, South Africa’s Prof. Blade Nzimande and Tunisia’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Mondher Belaid, delivered keynote addresses underscoring the historical bond and future opportunities between the two nations.
“Even though our visit is primarily aimed at strengthening science, technology, and innovation relations, the truth is that the bond between our countries was forged in the heat of the anti-colonial struggle. African countries must intensify sub-regional STI cooperation to support the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA),” said Prof. Blade Nzimande.
As part of the diplomatic exchange, South Africa awarded Ms. Hasna Tizaoui, Economic and Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of Tunisia in South Africa, with the prestigious Science Diplomacy Award through the Science Forum South Africa platform.
Building on Existing South Africa–Tunisia STI Cooperation
This latest partnership agreement builds on years of existing collaboration between South Africa and Tunisia in the fields of research and development (R&D) and innovation policy. It further solidifies joint efforts in addressing pan-African challenges through sustainable, science-driven solutions.
High-Level Delegation Participation
Minister Nzimande was accompanied by a delegation comprising senior officials from key South African science and innovation entities, including:
- The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
- The National Research Foundation (NRF)
- Council for Mineral Technology (Mintek)
Why This Matters
The South Africa–Tunisia STI partnership marks a significant step toward fostering a unified African response to global and continental challenges. By combining resources and expertise, both countries aim to:
- Enhance research capacity
- Support local innovation ecosystems
- Improve socio-economic development outcomes
Conclusion
As global geopolitical dynamics shift, South Africa and Tunisia are demonstrating proactive leadership by prioritising science, technology, and innovation as essential pillars of national and continental progress. This strategic partnership promises to empower youth, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to a more sustainable and technologically advanced Africa.
