THE Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Coega Development Corporation (Coega), which manages the Coega Special Economic Zone in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration aimed at advancing research, technology development, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
This public partnership aligns with South Africa’s push toward an innovation-led economy. In a joint media statement, the CSIR and Coega said the MoU will enhance industrial competitiveness, catalyse job creation, and position South Africa as a leader in sustainable technology development. It signals a shared commitment to harnessing each party’s expertise to support South Africa’s reindustrialisation and technological advancement.
Themba Koza, Coega’s chief executive officer, said the collaboration has the potential to have significant mutual benefits for the country. “I am grateful that our conversations have progressed to this agreement. It is reflected in our Strategic Plan for 2025-2030. Last year, we visited the CSIR and set our intentions. We want to learn from the CSIR. This partnership strengthens our identity as a learning organisation. We want to collaborate to advance catalytic interventions intended to support research that will positively impact the quality of life of South Africans. There is no doubt about the synergy between our two organisations,” said Koza.
The MoU sets the stage for transformative projects that align with national priorities in science and technology, as well as drive socioeconomic upliftment.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, CSIR executive manager for business development and commercialisation Dr Kenny Tenza, highlighted the wide-ranging scope of the collaboration, spanning key areas such as smart infrastructure and the internet of things (IoT); smart special economic zones, trade and logistics; energy; learning factory and automotive; smart buildings and infrastructure; cybersecurity, next-generation information and communication technologies; applying circular economy principles to build environmentally friendly infrastructure and bridging the digital divide for rural communities in the Eastern Cape and South Africa as a whole.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in building a future-ready, innovation-led economy. By combining the CSIR’s research capabilities with Coega’s expertise, we aim to co-create solutions that not only respond to present challenges but also shape the industries of tomorrow. Catalytic projects will ultimately contribute towards building a capable state and creating job opportunities that directly benefit local communities,” said Tenza.
Through the signing of the MoU, the parties aim to establish a formal foundation for joint initiatives that will enhance industrial competitiveness, attract investment, support the development and commercialisation of locally developed technologies, and promote infrastructure development. This collaboration will also focus on advancing capacity building and disseminating knowledge to benefit the broader community, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth.
It will encompass activities such as research, transfer, commercialisation of technologies, testing and piloting of new innovations, the translation of research outcomes into practical, real-world applications that contribute to improved mobility and socioeconomic development, skills development and capacity building, and knowledge sharing, as outlined in the scope of the MoU. Specific initiatives and joint commercialisation projects will be detailed in subsequent agreements as the partnership progresses.
The MoU is effective for an initial period of five years, with provisions for the renewal and expansion of collaboration areas. Both entities are optimistic about the potential impacts of their joint efforts and look forward to enhancing South Africa’s innovation ecosystem, they said in a joint statement.
