Technology & Innovation Unit

The Technology & Innovation Unit is part of the Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and, as one of the seven (7) priority focus areas or PFAs, it is a key driver of the province’s Growth for Jobs Strategy.  The Growth for Jobs Strategy is the Western Cape Government’s overarching economic strategy aimed at driving inclusive economic growth and creating jobs in the province.

Strategic principles: The Growth for Jobs Strategic Framework supports economic growth for job creation that favours….

G4J Vision: A provincial economy that achieves break-out economic growth, resulting in sufficient employment and opportunity and an economy that is sustainable, resilient, diverse and thriving – generating confidence, hope and prosperity for all.

G4J Goal: By 2035, the Western Cape will be a R1-trillion inclusive economy in real terms and growing at 4% - 6% per annum. This will be achieved through enabling a competitive business environment in which growth is driven through businesses exploiting opportunities.

Tech & Innovation PFA sub-goal: By 2035, research and development expenditure will increase by 120% in real terms, reaching R33-billion, and venture capital deals will total R59-billion from 2025 to 2035

Our ambition: The Technology & Innovation Unit drives the Western Cape’s ambition to become Africa’s leading hub for technology, innovation, and venture capital. We enable business growth and job creation by strengthening innovation ecosystems, supporting start-ups, growing digital skills, and helping businesses adopt technology to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Why does this matter? Technological innovation is responsible for 85% of growth (OECD, 2004) and is a key driver of Total Factor Productivity growth – indeed it is the only source of permanent increases in productivity, and thereby long-term economic growth and development.

Our current reality: R&D as a % of GDP in South Africa was 0.62% in 2021, against the national target of 1.5%. This is below global norms.

In the Western Cape, our spending on R&D is in line with the national target at 1.5% of GDP-R. The middle-income country average is 1.6%.