The North-West University (NWU), through its Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office, showcased its growing innovation impact at the inaugural South Africa Innovation Week (SAIW), held from 16 to 20 March 2026 at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Organised through a partnership between the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the South African Innovation Summit (SAIS), the event brought together the government, industry leaders, investors and innovators to advance collaboration and drive South Africa’s innovation agenda.
TTIS used the platform to feature a portfolio of technologies with strong commercialisation potential and to directly engage with key stakeholders across the national innovation ecosystem. The team connected with potential partners and explored opportunities to advance the translation of research into real-world impact.
At the exhibition stand, TTIS presented a diverse portfolio of innovations, with a strong focus on health and sustainable energy solutions. These included technologies in biosensing diagnostics, innovations supporting mental health and nutrition, as well as advancements in solar energy optimisation and hydrogen production.
The NWU also contributed to thought leadership discussions at the event. Prof. Jeffery Mphahlele, DVC: Research and Innovation, Community Engagement and Postgraduate Studies with the assigned function of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, participated in a panel discussion titled “Quadruple Helix in Action: how industry, academia, government, and communities can co-create scale”. The discussion highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving inclusive and scalable innovation.
A key highlight at the NWU exhibition stand was the engagement with Dr Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, whose interest in the technologies of the NWU reinforced their alignment with national priorities in health and sustainable energy. The interaction also provided an opportunity to demonstrate how these innovations contribute to socio-economic development and address pressing national challenges, further strengthening the visibility of the university in the innovation ecosystem of South Africa.
Reflecting on the engagement, Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa, senior commercialisation manager at TTIS, said: “We were encouraged by the strong interest from potential industry partners and public sector stakeholders. These engagements reaffirm the relevance of our innovation pipeline and open up promising opportunities for collaboration and commercialisation.”
The participation of the NWU at the SAIW underscores its growing contribution to the innovation landscape of South Africa. By showcasing impactful technologies and engaging key stakeholders, the university continues to strengthen its role in driving innovation and socio-economic development. TTIS remains committed to building strategic partnerships that translate innovation into tangible impact.
