Est. 2026
The Official National Innovation Platform
SA Innovation Week 2026 (SAIW’26) is being established as South Africa’s official National Innovation Platform — a coordinated, unconference, deal-making, outcomes-driven initiative designed to accelerate implementation, commercialisation, and measurable national impact.
Platform
Why It Matters
South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its innovation trajectory.
Official National Platform
SA Innovation Week (SAIW) is the official national platform connecting innovators, investors, industry leaders and policymakers in a coordinated, unconference, deal-making, outcomes-driven innovation platform designed to accelerate commercialisation and strengthen competitiveness.
One Innovation Ecosystem
SAIW’26 brings together the energy, talent, and capital of the innovation ecosystem into one shared showcase, networking and dialogue platform.
Our Hosts
The inaugural SAIW is hosted by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in partnership with South African Innovation Summit (SAIS) and supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).
Nationwide Innovation Week: 16 – 17 March 2026
SAIW’ 26 is designed as a week-long national programme to feature provincial innovation engagements across South Africa. From 16 – 17 March, Provinces will showcase local innovation strengths, emerging enterprises and sectoral capabilities.
Flagship Event at NASREC Expo Centre
These decentralised activities will culminate in a flagship three-day event at NASREC from 18 – 20 March.
Uniting the Quadruple Helix
SAIW’26 is designed as South Africa’s national innovation platform, a space that brings together the Quadruple Helix of academia, government, industry, and communities into one coordinated movement.
This platform integrates:
Transformation in both senses
Broadening participation, access, equity and representation, and transforming the innovation system itself into something far more capable, connected, and future-ready.
Inclusivity
Inclusivity as a design principle, doing more to enable youth, women innovators, township and rural entrepreneurs, universities, corporates, global partners, and policymakers to participate meaningfully in one shared national space.
Global Reach
International partners who bring global best practice, investment linkages, and comparative insight that strengthen South Africa’s positioning.
Industry
Government
Academia
Civil Society
Join the Movement
Where innovation meets capital and industry for national impact
Whether you are an innovator, investor, or policymaker—SAIW’26 is your platform.