Trilateral Chair in Transformative Innovation

The Chair, along with @UNCTAD , will be co-hosting an event at the UN STI Forum 2026. 🌍Join the conversation on critical minerals & innovation for development. Programme: sdgs.un.org/sites/default/…
Register: zoom.us/meeting/regist…
More info: bit.ly/4w6YwXZ #UNSTIForum

🔍 Meet our researcher, Hilda Jaka-Mabiza Her research focuses on climate resilience & sustainable livelihoods, with a strong interest in how rural communities in Southern Africa respond to environmental & resource challenges. 🔗 Read more: lnkd.in/dj6uk7yM #UJTRCTI

On #WorkersDay, the Chair celebrates researchers, policymakers, and partners driving progress across the Global South 🌍. We recognise the “human engine” behind our research: students, staff, and collaborators. #WorkersDay #GlobalSouth #Innovation #ResearchImpact

PhD student @gugulethu reflects on our study visit to @MIOIR, part of a collaboration between @go2uj, @OfficialUoM & @GeorgiaOf21743 🌍 He shares insights on innovation, systems thinking & global collaboration shaping research. Read more 👇🏽
bit.ly/4cvDfQb #MIOIR

🔍 Meet our researcher, Fambeu Ariel Herbert. His work focuses on industrial economics, innovation, digital transformation, global value chains, and informality in Sub-Saharan Africa, using data-driven methods to inform policy. 🔗 lnkd.in/dj6uk7yM #Research #UJTRCTi

🇿🇦 Happy Freedom Day, South Africa! As South Africa celebrates #FreedomDay, we reflect on the journey toward a truly inclusive society. At the Chair, we believe that freedom is incomplete without the agency to shape our own technological and socio-economic futures. #FreedomDay

Did you know? 💡 Access to clean cooking fuel does not always increase happiness. This reflects the “energy-happiness paradox.” 🔗 Read the full paper:lnkd.in/eeJhNVtw #CleaningCooking #EnergyAccess #SustainableDevelopment #EnergyTransition

Dr Farai Gwelo reflects on the Digital Technology Conference 2026 (23–27 February, CSIR International Convention Centre) 🤖📚 Read the full blog here 👇🏽 bit.ly/4mVww5t @unisa @CSIR #DigitalTransformation #AI #Ethics #Governance #UJTRCTI

Last week, the Chair visited the @TIDE_Oxford at the @UniofOxford under the leadership of Prof. @Amirlbd for a productive discussion on innovation in Africa. We also presented the Chair’s programme & research themes to faculty & PhD scholars. ✨🤝 #TransformativeInnovation

On 23–24 March, the Chair attended the SA-TIED Phase II Close-Out Conference. Discussions focused on the WEF nexus, investment constraints, governance, and the importance of translating research into actionable policy for inclusive growth. #SATIED #WEFNexus #InclusiveGrowth

🌍✨ On 16 March, the Chair attended the ISPF International Research Partnerships event in Sandton, bringing together stakeholders from SA &UK to reflect on progress and shape the the future of research partnerships. @BritishCouncil @CST_SU @NRF_News @go2uj #UJTRCTI #ISPF

🌍 Are we repeating patterns of the past in the race for critical minerals? On 14 April, the Chair @anabelmarin_, Ann Kingiri & @Erika09246639, delivered a seminar at IDS on “Critical minerals & development: old wine in new bottles?”   @SPRU @ACTSNET @MIOIR @AfricaLics

✨@UCLSTEaPP, in collaboration with the @go2uj, as part of a project supported by @BritishAcademy_, hosted a workshop on a proposed engaged policy experimentation tool developed in South Africa and its relevance for the Global North. #PolicyExperimentation #STI4Policy

💻 “Digital technologies are transforming our world, and Africa is no exception.” @Erika09246639 🔗 Learn more about our projects:
uj.ac.za/faculties/coll… #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #Africa #Sustainability #GreenTransition

🤖  Meet Our Researcher: Dr Farai Gwelo Her work explores how digitalization and AI shape socio-economic development in Africa’s small-scale and informal sectors. 🔗 Read more: uj.ac.za/faculties/coll… #TransformativeInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #UJAllTheWay #UJTRCTI

🌍 Join the conversation Innovation thrives through collaboration and shared knowledge systems. 🌱 How is collaboration shaping innovation in your context? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section. #TransformativeInnovation #Collaboration #UJTRCTI #UJAllTheWay

💡 Monday Motivation 🤖 Automation may boost productivity, but transformative innovation ensures that people and livelihoods are not left behind. #MondayMotivation #TransformativeInnovation #FutureOfWork #InclusiveInnovation #JustTransition #UJTRCTI #UJAllTheWay

On 16–27 March, the Chair, in collaboration with @ACTSNET, as part of a project supported by the @IDRC_CRDI, conducted fieldwork in Johannesburg & surrounding areas to examine systemic factors shaping the Climate Innovation Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.  #UJTRCI #CleanEnegry

💡 Did you know? In 2025, the chair published 34 journal articles, along with books, reports & other outputs advancing transformative innovation in Africa. These reflect impactful research, African scholarship & policy change. 🔗 uj.ac.za/faculties/coll…   #UJTRCTI #UJResearch

💡 We congratulate Ariel Herbert Fambeu, Bakehe Novice Patrick, and Georges Dieudonne Mbondo on their publication. The study highlights the positive impact of clean cooking fuels on wellbeing in low-income countries. 📄 doi.org/10.1007/s13132… #EnergyAccess #Wellbeing #UJTRCTI