Science, Technology and Innovation Section — South African Mission to the EU, Brussels

 

(Updated to align with DSTI’s “International Cooperation & Resources” — Programme 3)
 
Mandate
 
To strategically develop, promote, and manage relations for the South African Government in Europe—strengthening international cooperation to advance South Africa’s and Africa’s research and innovation priorities. This includes bolstering the National System of Innovation (NSI) and enabling the exchange of knowledge, capacity, and resources between South Africa, regional partners, the European Union, and its Member States, while supporting South Africa’s foreign policy through science diplomacy.

 
Functions of the Section
 

The Science, Technology and Innovation Section is responsible for:
 

  1. Deepening and expanding cooperation under the South Africa–EU Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, including South African participation in Horizon Europe and its predecessor Framework Programmes;

 

  1. Identifying new cooperation instruments relevant to South Africa–EU STI cooperation and facilitating South African access to them;

 

  1. Fostering a more enabling environment for EU development-cooperation instruments (e.g. Global Gateway) to support South African STI programmes;

 

  1. Encouraging research-infrastructure partnerships between South Africa and Europe, including the location of global research infrastructure in Africa;

 

  1. Promoting European private-sector, venture-capital, foundation and philanthropic investment in South Africa’s STI capacities;

 

  1. Supporting African continental and regional STI programmes (African Union, SADC) and South–South cooperation in their engagement with European partners, in line with the AU–EU Innovation Agenda and Agenda 2063/STISA;

 

  1. Representing South Africa in multilateral STI forums convened in Europe;

 

  1. Providing targeted, strategic support for bilateral STI partnerships between South Africa and EU Member States, with a special focus on Belgium and Luxembourg;

 

  1. Monitoring and analysing European STI policy developments — especially international cooperation — to inform South Africa’s national STI policy;

 

  1. Providing STI input to South Africa’s foreign-policy, trade and investment objectives in Europe; and

 

  1. Marketing South Africa in Europe as a preferred partner for international STI cooperation.

 

Services to the Research and Innovation Community
 
– Early, authoritative information on funding programmes and instruments supporting

– South Africa–Europe STI partnerships, with particular focus on Horizon Europe opportunities;

– Tactical guidance  on preparing competitive proposals, including under Horizon Europe and Global Gateway;

– Partner-matching support for South African and European organisations seeking collaborators with the right expertise;

– First point of contact for European stakeholders seeking information on South African science and technology, or introductions to South African authorities and experts;

– Facilitating contact between South African organisations and the relevant European Commission services and partner organisations; and

– Organising events in Brussels to showcase South African STI capabilities and profile South Africa–EU research and innovation success stories.

 

Cooperation Framework

The Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement between South Africa and the EU was concluded in 1996 and entered into force in November 1997. Cooperation is monitored and guided by the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC), which provides a platform for strategic dialogue between the two partners.
 
South Africa has built substantial cooperation with the EU under Horizon 2020 and now Horizon Europe, spanning marine science, health, the bioeconomy, materials, food and nutrition security, and sustainable agriculture. Horizon Europe’s Africa Initiative continues to deepen this engagement, alongside active partnership tracks in green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, nuclear medicine, and space research — including collaboration between the EU Joint Research Centre and South African entities such as NuMeRI (nuclear medicine) and SANSA (Earth observation).

 

Further Information

 

Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI): http  s://www.dsti.gov.za

 

ESASTAP – Strengthening Science, Research and Innovation Cooperation between Europe and South Africa – ESASTAP is a collaborative initiative between South Africa and the European Union. The programme’s main objective is to strengthen ties within the field of science, technology and innovation.