Theme: research_and_development
Responsible: DSI / National Treasury / NRF / CSIR
Medium. Fiscal constraints are the main barrier. Phased implementation targeting 2-3 high-impact priority areas is more achievable than full-plan funding in the current MTBPS environment.
South Africa's STI Decadal Plan, gazetted in 2022, sets 10-year targets across eight priority areas: space, the ocean economy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, human health, energy, ICT, and mining. The Plan is the most ambitious STI policy framework since the 1996 White Paper. However, it remains largely unfunded: the MTBPS 2025 did not allocate the estimated R50 billion required for full implementation, and DSI's budget has declined in real terms. Parliamentary Committee on Science and Innovation BRRRs noted the disconnect between the Decadal Plan's ambition and DSI's appropriation trajectory. The reform converts the Decadal Plan into a funded mandate through multi-year appropriations, EU Horizon association co-funding, AfDB grants, and revised CSIR/NRF mandates explicitly aligned to Decadal Plan priorities.
South Korea created KAIST (1971) as a graduate research university with English-language instruction, US-style PhD programmes, and an explicit technology commercialisation mandate. Government funded KAIST fully for its first 20 years. KAIST graduates founded Samsung's semiconductor division, Hyundai's R&D centre, and 7,200 start-ups to date. South Korea's R&D spending reached 4.8% of GDP by 2022 — the world's highest share. SA's science councils (CSIR, SABS, NRF) were modelled on different institutional logic; KAIST's explicit commercialisation mandate and industry-linkage tracking offer a direct reform blueprint.
National Reading and Literacy Crisis Response Programme
TVET College Quality and Industry Relevance — Artisan Pipeline
Primary Healthcare Platform Strengthening and CHW Integration
STEM Teacher Development and Retention Programme
Critical Skills List Update and Visa Fast-Track
How to cite
Wilse-Samson, L. (2026). STI Decadal Plan 2022–2032: From Aspiration to Funded Mandate. SA Policy Space. NYU Wagner School of Public Policy. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://sa-policy-space.vercel.app/ideas/sti-decadal-plan-20222032-from-aspiration-to-funded-mandate?snapshot=2026-05-11
Data as of 2026-05-11 · latest PMG meeting 2026-05-08
TB Elimination National Acceleration Programme