Technology in South Africa

South Africa sees itself as a technology leader in Africa. The country has even bigger ambitions for the future:

• To strengthen its bio-economy to become a world leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals;
• To become a key contributor to global space sciences and technology;
• To achieve energy security with clean, affordable and reliable energy supply;
• To play a leading role in formulating scientific and technological solutions to climate change;
• To contribute to a greater global understanding of shifting social dynamics and the role of science in stimulating growth and development in developing countries.

One of the main challenges in achieving these ambitions is the erosion of South Africa's knowledge base due to emigration of highly skilled professionals. Scientists, engineers and technologists remain in short supply in most sectors. That is one of the reasons why the country is still dependant in a large measure on natural resources and resource-based industries.