In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that South Africa’s future prosperity hinges on its ability to accelerate innovation, deepen digitisation and implement technology‑driven economic reform.
The President called for the development of an “innovative economy” supported by a dedicated Innovation Fund for tech start-ups emerging from universities and research institutions. He also highlighted the centrality of the digital economy, artificial intelligence and smart public infrastructure as tools for transforming service delivery and increasing South Africa’s global competitiveness.
For those working at the heart of Gauteng’s innovation ecosystem, the message is clear. South Africa needs institutions capable of turning policy pronouncements into measurable socio‑economic impact. The Innovation Hub (TIH), Gauteng’s innovation agency, is uniquely positioned to respond.
As Africa’s first internationally accredited science and technology park, TIH was established to drive the competitiveness, modernisation and digital transformation of the province’s economy. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), TIH manages innovation programmes that span the bio‑economy, green economy, and smart industries, while also operating as a sophisticated enterprise development ecosystem.
This institutional capability is directly aligned with the President’s call to build future‑focused industries, from green manufacturing to digital services, to creating jobs for young people through technology‑enabled economic expansion.
TIH’s suite of sector‑specific programmes, including tech innovation and cluster development, enterprise development focusing on bio-economy, digital economy, green economy and township economy revitalisation, reflect an intentional strategy to ensure that innovation is not confined to research labs but reaches township communities, early‑stage entrepreneurs and dynamic high‑growth start‑ups.
These programmes provide business development support, technical advisory services, IP assistance, and subsidised workspace to companies in renewable energy, health tech, smart agriculture, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, AI and more.
The President’s emphasis on reducing youth unemployment through digital skills development finds practical expression in TIH’s Skills Development programme where graduates are offered hands‑on experience on ICT, software, and business management experience to young people in Gauteng. This is the kind of pipeline South Africa requires to support the state’s broader digital transformation agenda.
The President stressed the need to create tech-enabled public services, including a digital identity system and AI‑powered visa processing platform to reduce corruption and modernise administration. Through its technology innovation and cluster‑development programmes, TIH nurtures the very enterprises capable of supplying these solutions, from GovTech and fintech start‑ups to cybersecurity firms and data‑driven service providers. The ecosystem fosters collaboration between government, academia, and industry – accelerating the development of scalable, secure and digital public infrastructure.
Through its technology innovation and cluster‑development programmes, TIH nurtures the very enterprises capable of supplying these solutions…
Similarly, the call for green transition leadership connects neatly with TIH’s long‑standing investments in the green economy, including water innovation, renewable energy, and waste‑management technologies. These initiatives directly support Gauteng’s Growing Gauteng Together (GGT2030) strategy, positioning the province as the continent’s centre for sustainable industrialisation.
The Innovation Hub ecosystem is anchored on collaboration between academia, industry and government, and offers the kind of environment required to fast‑track the President’s vision for a more inclusive, entrepreneurial and future‑ready economy.
As South Africa moves into an era demanding speed, innovation and real delivery, TIH stands uniquely ready to turn the President’s ambitions into action. With established programmes, strong partnerships and a proven ecosystem, TIH is positioned to scale the technologies, enterprises and skills pipelines needed to drive inclusive growth across Gauteng and beyond.
Find out more at www.theinnovationhub.com
