Category: Africa

Greater international cooperation is required to remove financial and institutional barriers restricting researchers from developing countries from accessing and publishing scientific knowledge.

This assessment was made by Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) Chief Director for Overseas Bilateral Cooperation, Anneline Morgan, on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference on International Cooperation in Open Science underway in China.

The conference is a precursor to the 19th Pujian Innovation Forum at which South Africa is a Country of Honor.

The call comes amid an industry consensus that access to scientific research remains costly for academics seeking to publish their work and researchers trying to consult it.

During her address on Friday, Morgan also called on open science platforms to give greater recognition to African indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine and technologies while protecting the intellectual property associated with that knowledge.

“Open science is about ensuring that there is free access to scientific data. As you would know, it is quite expensive for any academic to publish in any journal. It is also quite expensive for any researcher to access that information because they have to pay for that data – they have to subscribe to various journals.”

Morgan added that international open-science cooperation should help close the knowledge divide between developed and developing countries.

She said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Recommendation on Open Science sought to “ensure that developing countries have free and equitable access to scientific data” and that there is no gap in knowledge generation between the Global North and Global South.

South Africa and the African Union’s partnerships with BRICS countries could play an important role in advancing free and equitable access to data, particularly scientific data, she said.

Indigenous knowledge

Morgan emphasised that open science was also important for increasing the visibility of indigenous knowledge research, which was not always given sufficient recognition by established scientific publications and researchers.

“There is an importance to advancing indigenous knowledge systems because a lot of scientific publications and other scientists across the world frown upon research in the area of indigenous knowledge, and that area is our strength.

“As South Africa, we have a rich biodiversity and, through that biodiversity, we do a lot of research and fund a lot of research in traditional medicine and traditional technologies, which the DSTI is supporting across the country.”

She said researchers working in the field sometimes encountered difficulties publishing their findings in scientific journals.

“If we get our researchers and scientists who are finding it difficult to publish in a number of journals because of the fact that this research is frowned upon, it is important to use such platforms to promote the importance of indigenous knowledge and traditional systems within the communities that we support.”

However, broader access to indigenous knowledge data has to be balanced against the need to protect communities and their intellectual property.

“This can only be possible when we ensure that this data is well known and accessible, while ensuring the intellectual property and protection of that data,” she said.

The Open Science Conference, an initiative of BRICS leaders, is positioned to advance open science in the Global South.

READ | SA uses disease burden to drive medical innovation

Representatives of member states used the conference to deliberate on cooperation, scientific data, and measures to make publicly funded knowledge more widely accessible. –SAnews.gov.za 

South Africa’s high burden of tuberculosis (TB), HIV and cancer is enabling local scientists to develop nuclear medicine techniques that could improve the early detection and treatment of diseases locally and internationally.

Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) President and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Mike Sathekge, says South Africa’s experience in tackling diseases prevalent on the continent gives its scientists expertise that can complement research conducted in countries where these illnesses are less common.

Sathekge, who is also Head of Nuclear Medicine at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the University of Pretoria, made the comments while addressing the media on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference on International Cooperation in Open Science currently underway in Shanghai, China.

The conference is a build-up to the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum (PIF), where South Africa will participate as Country of Honour.

READ | SA innovation takes centre stage at Chinese Innovation Forum

“This is about showcasing that South Africa can be one of those countries which can collaborate with other global countries in terms of the science that we do in South Africa,” Sathekge said.

South Africa is the first African country to be designated Country of Honour at the forum, which will bring together policymakers, researchers, innovators and industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies and deepen international scientific cooperation.

The South African delegation to the forum is led by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande.

Sathekge said international scientific cooperation should extend beyond comparing countries’ capabilities and place greater emphasis on connecting researchers who possess complementary knowledge.

“Instead of comparing, we must connect with the other countries. That is critical if we are to benchmark while we are looking at the problems and the burden of disease in our country.

“How do we use that expertise to also inform the region – Africa – but also consider what the other colleagues are doing and take it from there?” he said.

South African contribution 

Sathekge said South Africa could contribute important knowledge on TB, HIV and cancer through its work in radiotheranostics and nuclear medicine.

Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials to examine the functioning of organs and tissues, diagnose diseases and deliver targeted treatments.

“In this regard, for example, you would be aware that we have quite a burden of diseases in South Africa. We can show that radiotheranostics and nuclear medicine can be part and parcel of addressing this,” he said.

South African researchers have contributed to evidence showing that the progression of TB is not uniform and that lesions in the same patient may respond differently to treatment.

“We have been key in contributing to show that the pathogenesis of tuberculosis is heterogeneous. How you really treat it might not be as easy as the usual six months. How do we change it? Is treatment going to be prolonged?” Sathekge said.

Understanding these differences could help researchers develop biomarkers that indicate how patients are responding to treatment without relying exclusively on expensive imaging technology.

“Those biomarkers can be validated to detect patients very early. That brings complicated nuclear medicine techniques to actually help derive better on-site techniques that will help our patients.”

Sathekge said nuclear medicine could also be used to assess whether new TB medicines are working inside a patient’s body.

“The lesions are not the same in tuberculosis. You need to be clear that this lesion will respond earlier, and the other one will respond later,” he said.

This information could assist doctors in determining which patients require longer treatment or a combination of medical treatment and surgery. It could also help prevent the disease from recurring.

Sathekge said similar technologies could help address cancer, particularly because many South African patients are diagnosed only after the disease has reached an advanced stage.

He said medical imaging should consequently be regarded as an essential component of healthcare and not an unaffordable luxury.

“Imaging should not be a luxury. It is part and parcel of what we need. It helps with therapies but also makes sure that we can have precision medicine here and not just theoretically,” Sathekge said.

South Africa’s nuclear medicine research forms part of the country’s health innovation capabilities being showcased in China.

The PIF is expected to provide South Africa with an opportunity to promote research partnerships, knowledge exchange, technology transfer and investment while positioning the country as a gateway to Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

The PIF  is taking place from 11 – 14 September.  –SAnews.gov.za

The City of Johannesburg has assured that the Lilian Ngoyi Street Rehabilitation Project reopening in October 2026 is still on track with the project having reached over 75% completion.

This week, Mayor Dada Morero, together with City Manager Dr Floyd Brink and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) officials led a tour of the 1.8km corridor to assess progress on Phase Two of the project.

Some three years ago, an explosion – caused by methane gas – rocked Lillian Ngoyi Street, claiming the life of at least one person and leaving over 40 others injured.

READ | Methane gas identified as cause of Joburg CBD explosion

It also left the city having to undertake the R192 million restoration project.

“We want to emphasise that this is not a normal road; it is a transport precinct. Following the 2023 gas explosion, we had to rebuild critical underground infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, while also installing additional services to support the city’s future growth.

“Engineers had to excavate up to five metres deep to rebuild the foundation and accommodate this infrastructure, which is why this project is far more complex than a standard road upgrade.

“By 31 October, we are not only reopening Lilian Ngoyi Street – we are restoring a safer, stronger and more resilient corridor for Johannesburg,” Morero said.

JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi said major works are expected to be completed ahead of the October reopening. 

“The JRA assures road users, residents, businesses and other stakeholders that every effort is being made to keep the project on track and avoid further delays beyond October 2026,” Nyathi said. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New Delhi, India, ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, where South Africa will push for stronger trade and investment ties among member countries.

The Summit, taking place from 12 to 13 September under India’s chairship, comes as BRICS seeks to strengthen cooperation among its expanded membership and advance the interests of the Global South.

“South Africa will use the Summit to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities, particularly by expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and mobilising investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” the Presidency said.

The Summit is being held under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security.”

This afternoon, President Ramaphosa will deliver remarks at the BRICS Business Forum, focusing on trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.

The Forum brings together BRICS leaders and business representatives, including members of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, as well as investors and entrepreneurs from BRICS countries and partner economies.

It plays an important role in shaping the BRICS economic agenda and strengthening business-to-business cooperation.

President Ramaphosa will later participate in a closed session of BRICS Leaders titled “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.

The session will consider the need for a more inclusive, representative and responsive global governance architecture, with a focus on reforming the United Nations system, the international financial architecture and the multilateral trading system.

On 12 September 2026, President Ramaphosa will address the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable, with a focus on enhancing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

The forum also seeks to encourage additional Indian foreign direct investment in key sectors, including pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, critical minerals, and the electric vehicle battery value chain.

On 13 September 2026, President Ramaphosa will deliver a statement during the Summit’s open session for BRICS and invited leaders, titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”, which will focus on India’s chairship priorities.

The President will also join other leaders in visiting the Bharat Innovates & BRICS @20 Exhibition, which will showcase innovation, technology and key achievements of BRICS cooperation, as well as participate in a joint tree-planting ceremony.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government, and engage with business leaders and captains of industry.

President Ramaphosa is supported by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi.

BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation and geopolitical alliance of major emerging market economies.

Full members of this association are Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Designated partner states and invited countries will also participate in the New Delhi deliberations.

The discussions take place against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as broader major-power competition, which continues to undermine economic development and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. – SAnews.gov.za

NEW DELHI – South African agribusinesses and farming communities are urging BRICS countries to take practical steps to lower import tariffs and remove non-tariff barriers that continue to limit agricultural trade within the bloc.

“Higher tariffs and complex or unnecessarily restrictive sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements continue to constrain deeper agricultural trade within BRICS. Some BRICS countries currently enjoy more favourable trading terms with markets outside the grouping than with fellow BRICS members, contributing to relatively limited intra-BRICS agricultural trade,” Chairperson of the Agribusiness Working Group Wandile Sihlobo said.

The Agribusiness Working Group, comprising Agbiz and Agri SA, said the issue had become more urgent as BRICS expands and seeks to strengthen trade and investment ties among member countries.

The call followed the group’s participation in the BRICS Business Council meeting on Thursday, held ahead of the BRICS Business Forum and the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.

South Africa’s agribusiness sector plays a pivotal role in promoting trade and investment ties among the business communities of BRICS member countries through the BRICS Business Council.

Sihlobo said that from a South African agribusiness perspective, there is a strong case for BRICS countries to deepen agricultural trade on fair and commercially meaningful terms, particularly in the current environment of intensifying geopolitical tensions, conflict and rising import tariffs.

BRICS countries import agricultural products worth more than US$300 billion annually.

“China and India account for the lion’s share of these imports. The Middle East also has a sizeable share of agricultural imports from the world market. Key agricultural products imported by the BRICS grouping include, among others, various grains and oilseeds, fruits, wine, beef, pork and poultry products,” Sihlobo said.

While not all BRICS members may currently be ready for a comprehensive agricultural free trade agreement, Sihlobo said the potential for such an arrangement should remain under consideration.

“In the interim, practical steps can be taken to reduce existing barriers and facilitate greater agricultural trade among member countries,” Sihlobo said.

South African agribusinesses and farming communities are advocating a coordinated trade facilitation approach focused on:

• Tariffs and market access: improving transparency and coordination across priority commodities and trade corridors, while exploring opportunities to progressively lower tariff barriers.
• SPS alignment and trade facilitation: improving regulatory cooperation and exploring pilot mutual recognition arrangements to reduce unnecessary duplication and delays.

“In an increasingly complex global trading environment, stronger agricultural trade relationships can contribute to more resilient value chains, diversified markets and greater food security across BRICS economies,” Sihlobo said.

Agri SA and Agbiz reaffirmed their commitment to deepening agricultural trade, expanding market opportunities and strengthening meaningful commercial relationships across BRICS markets.

“From a business perspective, the priority is to create the practical conditions that enable farmers and agribusinesses to trade more effectively through improved market access, fewer unnecessary trade barriers, greater regulatory predictability and more efficient trade facilitation,” Sihlobo said.

The Working Group considered a range of priorities and recommendations for BRICS leaders, including bridging agricultural productivity gaps among member countries, promoting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices, sharing knowledge on scientific advances and seed development, and deepening agricultural trade as a means of strengthening food security.

The Working Group will share its recommendations with the BRICS Business Forum on Friday. The forum brings together business leaders, ministers and heads of state to discuss trade, investment, finance, technology and development challenges that shape the BRICS economic agenda.

The forum serves as a platform to present and discuss key ideas and suggestions from the Council, and it plays a strong agenda-setting role.

Its conclusions and the Business Council’s recommendations are regularly reflected in BRICS Summit declarations and in follow-up work plans, particularly on intra-BRICS trade, investment, the digital economy, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), standards cooperation and value chain integration.

BRICS brings together 11 major emerging markets and developing countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

It also includes 10 partner countries – Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam – further expanding the platform’s reach across economies and regions.

The grouping provides a platform for consultation and cooperation on contemporary issues of global and regional significance, including questions of political and economic governance. –SAnews.gov.za