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Fresh impetus for research cooperation with South Africa

In September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innova-tion (SERI), visited South Africa with a scientific delegation. The purpose of the trip was to strengthen existing ties in education, research and innovation and to open up new avenues for cooperation.

16.10.2025
Author: Mia Mader
A group of people stand in front of a blue banner and look at the camera.
Group photo taken during Swiss delegation visit to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria Photo: Kgomotso Austin

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South Africa is regarded as the leading hub for research on the African continent. With its internationally recognised universities, numerous research institutes and a dynamic innovation ecosystem, the country is an important partner for Switzerland. Close bilateral cooperation in research and innovation has existed for many years, supported by the Swiss Leading House for Africa, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, among others. This collaboration is based on a scientific and technological cooperation agreement signed in 2007.

Discussions with government and research partners

During the visit, State Secretary Hirayama held bilateral talks with senior policymakers and leading researchers. These included meetings with South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, and a high-level delegation from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. The State Secretary and her scientific delegation also engaged with representatives of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The aim of these discussions was to identify opportunities to deepen cooperation, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks.

One of the key moments of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency, the National Research Foundation and the Swiss Leading House for Africa. The agreement reaffirms the shared commitment to jointly promote, further develop and finance instruments for research and innovation cooperation.

A man and a woman shake hands in front of a portrait of Nelson Mandela.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama with Professor Fulufhelo Vincent Nelwamondo, Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF). Photo: SERI
Six people stand behind a desk between the Swiss and South African flags.
South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), National Research Foundation (NRF) and Switzerland’s Leading House for Africa signed a Memorandum of Agreement to further strengthen bilateral research and innovation cooperation. Photo: SERI
A man and a woman are standing in front of the South African flag and are having a conversation.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama with Buti Kgwaridi Manamela, Minister of Higher Education and Training. Photo: SERI

Gaining insight into South Africa's research landscape

The Swiss delegation visited several universities and research institutes, including the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, iThemba LABS and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria. These visits gave the delegation insight into current research priorities – from astronomy and biomedicine to nuclear and materials research, energy and environmental technologies.

Two women and a man are standing next to each other and looking at the camera.
Professor Thuli Madonsela from Stellenbosch University, Professor Kelly Chibale from the University of Cape Town and State Secretary Martina Hirayama at a networking lunch in Cape Town. Photo: Kgomotso Austin
A group of people are sitting at a long table discussing.
The Swiss delegation’s itinerary included a visit to iThemba LABS, an interdisciplinary research centre specialised in the use of particle accelerators and the production of medical radioisotopes. Photo: Kgomotso Austin
A woman and a man in a suit are conversing.
Swiss delegation at the University of Cape Town, with Professor Mosa Moshabela, University Vice-Chancellor. Photo: Kgomotso Austin

Joint commitment to international networks

In addition to bilateral exchanges, multilateral cooperation within international research structures was also a focus of the visit. While in South Africa, Martina Hirayama attended a meeting of member countries of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO). Currently under construction, this radio telescope will have one antenna site in South Africa’s Karoo Desert and another in the Western Australian outback. Ministers discussed the status and future of this major research facility and reaffirmed their continued joint commitment.

The visit demonstrated how South Africa and Switzerland can combine their scientific strengths. Targeted exchanges create fresh impetus for joint projects and foster sustainable networking within the global research system.

Swiss Leading House Africa

Swiss Leading House Africa operates on SERI’s behalf and is managed by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) in collaboration with the University of Basel. Its main objective is to strengthen research and innovation partnerships between Switzerland and African countries. 

Contact
Mira Stocker, SERI Bilateral relations mira.stocker@sbfi.admin.ch +41 58 463 87 33
Author
Mia Mader

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