Research, development and innovation are emerging as strategic pillars of South Africa’s critical minerals strategy, aimed at strengthening competitiveness and long-term sustainability in the mining sector, says government innovation funding entity Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) board chairperson Loyiso Tyira.

The focus areas were conveyed as part of discussions held during the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, specifically from a session on February 9, titled ‘Building Critical Minerals Value Chains in South Africa: An Investor Dialogue’.

TIA participated in the dialogue alongside Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe; Transport Minister Barbara Creecy; Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau; Electricity and Energy Deputy Minister Samantha Graham-Maré; and Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina.

The ministerial segment emphasised innovation as a key mechanism for strengthening South Africa’s position in global critical minerals value chains and highlighted government’s commitment to positioning the country as a reliable supplier and value-adding hub for critical minerals required for the global energy transition, digitalisation and advanced manufacturing.

Going forward, Tyira says innovation must play a central role in unlocking that greater value from South Africa’s mineral resources, adding that the “real opportunity” for South Africa lies not only in mining critical minerals, but in beneficiation, advanced processing and technology development.

“Innovation enables the country to move beyond being a raw materials exporter towards becoming a technology-driven, value-adding economy that is globally competitive and locally impactful,” he says.

Further, against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions, climate imperatives and rapid technological change, Tyira notes that mining companies face growing operational pressures, including declining productivity, rising costs, safety risks and environmental compliance requirements. Taking these into account, he says African miners must invest in innovation to address these challenges.

In response to these challenges, Tyira reiterates TIA’s role in supporting the large-scale deployment of locally developed technologies aimed at addressing industry challenges while unlocking new economic opportunities.

Through targeted investments in strategic innovation programmes and projects across mining, energy, water and the circular economy, TIA supports the derisking of technologies designed to improve extraction and processing efficiencies, enable local manufacturing and strengthen energy transition value chains.

Moreover, Tyira adds that modernising South Africa’s mining and critical minerals sector requires closer collaboration between government, mining companies, technology developers, research institutions and investors.

“TIA plays a system-integrator role by bringing these stakeholders together around shared priorities, ensuring that innovation is translated into practical solutions that unlock value, strengthen competitiveness and support inclusive, sustainable growth,” he concludes.