Joint goal

South Africa and Zambia, two of the continent’s leading mining regions, are putting their heads together to spur innovation in the sector.

ITWeb Africa reports the two countries are setting up a joint technology and science fund to focus on artificial intelligence (AI), mining research and industrial development.

The fund mirrors the growing trend among African countries to move away from dependence on raw materials towards local beneficiation (processing) of minerals and value-driven economies.

The proposed fund emerged from bilateral meetings between South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, and his Zambian counterpart, Felix Mutati.

The fund will promote joint research and development in emerging areas such as AI and infrastructure. In addition, the two countries envisage an annual investment forum aimed at boosting industrialisation and addressing the export of unprocessed mineral resources.