The project was introduced in South Africa in September 2007, although the country had prior experience in R&D data collection and on innovation dating back to 2002 and 2005 respectively.
The ASTII project is overseen by the Department of Science and Technology and implemented by the Centre of Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) under the Human Sciences research Council (HSRC).
Using its own resources, the country carried out both R&D and Innovation surveys. Moreover, South Africa supported the NEPAD/ASTII team since the inception of ASTII and continues to share its experiences with other AU member States during NEPAD/ASTII in-country training workshops. Accordingly, the country has an observer’s status during annual meetings of the OECD Working Party of National Experts on Science and Technology Indicators (NESTI).
Data for both R&D and Innovation core indicators of the country were collected and featured in the first African Innovation Outlook report (AIO-2010) as well as in the second (AIO-2014).
Contact: Mr. Godfrey Mashamba (godfrey.mashamba@dst.gov.za), Chief Director/General manager, S&T Investment, Department of Science and Technology ; and Dr Neo Molotja (NMolotja@hsrc.ac.za), Senior Research Specialist.
Websites: http://www.dst.go.za and www.hsrc.ac.za/en/departments/cestii
