South Africa and China are planning an Artificial Intelligence Talent Development and Innovation Centre in South Africa, Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina said during a visit to China.
Gina, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, spoke about the plan at the 2026 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum in Wuhan. The forum runs from 10 to 13 November.
“The centre will strengthen innovation capabilities and deepen the bilateral cooperation between our countries in the field of artificial intelligence,” Gina said, IOL reported.
According to the report, the centre is meant to help South Africa close its digital skills gap and work more closely with Chinese institutions.
Early work on the project has already started. A team of Chinese technical experts is expected to visit South Africa to do a first assessment.
During the trip, Gina held talks with China’s Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Zhang Guangjun.
“We are ready, as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, to implement the agreements we have entered into,” Gina said.
Zhang said ties between the two countries had grown steadily under Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Xi Jinping.
“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,” Zhang said.
The talks built on a step taken in September 2024, when the two countries raised their relations to a new strategic partnership. That deal named the digital economy, AI and new energy as shared priority areas.
Gina also spoke at a session hosted by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, known as AIRCAS.
She told delegates that space technology could help Africa with farming, food security, water management and climate change.
Gina said a 1999 Science and Technology Agreement between the two countries had led to more than 240 joint research projects.
In 2025, AIRCAS and the South African National Space Agency launched a joint laboratory on aerospace information technology.
Gina said that since her visit to AIRCAS in December 2025, work had moved forward on airborne platforms, positioning tools and disaster management. She said training for young scientists had also improved.
She called for more data sharing and more chances for African scientists and young researchers.
“Our partnership should go beyond technology transfer to promote joint innovation, mutual learning and sustainable local capabilities,” Gina said.
Earlier in the year, after the 9th South Africa-China Bi-National Commission in Cape Town, Gina hosted Vice Minister Chen Jiachang at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory. Both sides agreed then to more exchanges, including in AI.
“Ultimately, we should measure the success of our cooperation not only by the technologies we develop, but also by the lives we improve,” Gina said.
Gina also welcomed Chinese participation in Science Forum South Africa, which takes place in early December 2026.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.