South Africa is looking to strengthen its manufacturing sector through innovation, research and greater collaboration between universities and industry. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Professor Blade Nzimande has highlighted the important role university-based Technology Stations can play in turning technical expertise into practical industrial solutions.
Nzimande made the remarks during a ministerial visit to the Institute for Advanced Tooling (IAT) at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape on 4 November 2026.
The visit formed part of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s efforts to promote innovation-led industrialisation and strengthen regional value chains.
Technology Stations Connect Research With Industry
During the visit, Nzimande emphasised the need to make specialised technology and technical support more accessible to businesses, particularly small enterprises operating in rural and township communities.
He highlighted how university-based Technology Stations can help companies overcome technical challenges by providing access to specialised equipment, engineering expertise and product development services.
These facilities create a link between academic research and the practical needs of businesses, helping turn innovative ideas into products and solutions that can compete in the market.
Walter Sisulu University Institute Records Significant Impact
The Institute for Advanced Tooling provides a range of advanced manufacturing services designed to support businesses and strengthen local industrial capabilities.
Its technical services include:
- Computer numerical control (CNC) machining
- Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
- Advanced manufacturing
- Reverse engineering
- Metrology and precision measurement
According to the information presented during the visit, the Institute has supported 568 enterprises, developed 54 intellectual property and knowledge-based products, and generated more than R5.1 million in additional income.
These figures demonstrate the potential impact of university-based technical facilities in helping businesses develop products, improve production processes and grow their commercial operations.
Push to Reduce Dependence on Imported Technologies
Another key issue raised by Nzimande was the importance of strengthening South Africa’s ability to manufacture locally.
The Minister stressed the need to develop indigenous alternatives to imported technologies, supporting domestic production and building greater technical capacity within the country.
Developing local solutions could help businesses become more competitive while creating opportunities for South African engineers, researchers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
The Institute for Advanced Tooling illustrates how specialised university facilities can contribute to this objective by providing the expertise and equipment needed to develop and refine locally produced technologies.
Innovation and Partnerships at the Centre of Industrial Development
The ministerial visit reinforced the government’s broader focus on using research, technological innovation and partnerships between academic institutions and businesses to support economic development.
University Technology Stations can play an important role in this process by helping enterprises access capabilities that may otherwise be too expensive or difficult to obtain independently.
For South Africa, strengthening these connections could help expand manufacturing capacity, improve business competitiveness and support regional economic growth.
Nzimande’s visit to Walter Sisulu University highlighted the value of investing in institutions that connect research and engineering expertise with the real needs of industry.
