South Africa and China plan joint AI center

South Africa and China are planning an Artificial Intelligence Talent Development and Innovation Center in South Africa, as the two countries expand their cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, highlighted the plan during a working visit to China for the 2026 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum in Wuhan. The forum runs from November 10 to 13. During her visit, she held talks with China’s Vice Minister of Science and Technology Zhang Guangjun.

The proposed center is to help South Africa address its digital skills gap, build innovation capacity and expand collaboration with Chinese institutions. Preparatory work is already underway, and a Chinese technical expert team is expected to visit South Africa for a preliminary assessment of the project.

“The center will strengthen innovation capabilities and deepen the bilateral cooperation between our countries in the field of artificial intelligence,” Gina said.

Vice Minister Zhang said relations between the two countries have grown steadily under Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Xi Jinping, with cooperation deepening across many fields.

“President Xi has stressed that under this new partnership, both sides should pursue mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, AI and new energy,” he said.

The meeting built on the September 2024 elevation of relations to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. That partnership named the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and new energy as strategic areas of mutual benefit.

South Africa identified advanced manufacturing, AI, biotechnology and fifth-generation mobile technology (5G) as areas for engagement. Both stressed the need for stronger links between universities, research institutions and industry, to speed up the translation of research into economic and social applications.

Gina further hailed China’s contribution in strengthening South Africa’s capabilities, attributing the relationship to a 1999 Science and Technology Agreement, under which more than 240 joint research and development projects have been carried out.

Looking ahead, Gina called for deeper cooperation in space technology applications, stronger data and knowledge sharing, and more opportunities for African scientists and young researchers.

African countries, she said, should be able to develop and apply technologies in line with their own priorities. “Our partnership should go beyond technology transfer to promote joint innovation, mutual learning, and sustainable local capabilities,” she noted.

Gina closed by saying cooperation should be judged by its human impact. “Ultimately, we should measure the success of our cooperation not only by the technologies we develop, but also by the lives we improve,” she said.

First published by IOL