The Southafrican Cabinet approved on November 30th 2022 the "Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan 2022-2032" (Decadal Plan), which serves as an implementation guide of the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The Decadal Plan sets out the STI priorities and thematic focus areas for 2022 to 2032 to support the achievement of the "National Development Plan (NDP) 2030" objectives.
The plan has five thematic focus areas:
- modernisation of agricultural, manufacturing and mining sectors;
- exploitation of new sources of growth, particularly the digital and circular economy;
- large research and innovation programmes in the areas of health and energy;
- utilising STI to support a capable state;
- addressing three societal grand challenges, namely climate change and environmental sustainability, the future of education, skills development and work, and the future of society.
