Namibia launches technology and innovation support centre

Namibia is strengthening its national innovation ecosystem with the official launch of the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Desk at the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST).

The launch, held at the Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre in Windhoek, marks the establishment of Namibia’s second Technology and Innovation Support Centre, following the opening of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) TISC in 2023.

The new TISC Desk is expected to improve access to patent information, scientific and technical knowledge, and intellectual property services for researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, supporting efforts to translate research into innovation and commercial opportunities.

Representatives from government, academia and national institutions attended the event, highlighting the growing importance of intellectual property management and technology transfer in advancing Namibia’s research and innovation agenda.

Welcoming participants, NCRST chief executive officer, Anicia Peters, highlighted the Commission’s commitment to strengthening the country’s research and innovation landscape.

Nhlanhla Lupahla later presented an overview of NCRST’s research, science, technology and innovation programmes, demonstrating how they contribute to the implementation of Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).

The event featured presentations from experts across Namibia’s research and innovation ecosystem, focusing on the role of Technology and Innovation Support Centres in promoting knowledge transfer, protecting intellectual property and supporting innovation.

The keynote address by the Honourable Sanet Steenkamp, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, was delivered on her behalf by Anicia Peters, who also officially launched the NCRST Technology and Innovation Support Centre Desk.

The programme was moderated by Selma Fortunato, Senior Programme Officer in NCRST’s Knowledge Management, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Division. At the same time, Hilya Shikongo, acting general manager for Innovation and Technology at NCRST, delivered closing remarks.

The establishment of the NCRST TISC Desk strengthens Namibia’s capacity to support researchers and innovators in protecting, managing and commercialising intellectual property. By improving access to innovation support services and technology transfer expertise, the initiative advances the country’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy and fostering sustainable socio-economic development.

The launch also comes as Namibia prepares to host the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) All Partners Forum in September 2026. The gathering will bring together research funders, science granting councils, policymakers and development partners from across Africa to explore how stronger national research and innovation systems can accelerate the implementation of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2034).

The establishment of the NCRST TISC Desk shows the country’s continued investment in research infrastructure and innovation support, providing a timely example of the national efforts that underpin SGCI’s mission to strengthen science, technology and innovation across the continent.

An opportunity for African researchers

The Science Granting Councils Initiative’s multilateral research call is launched to advance the continent’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034).

The Call encourages African universities, public research organisations and government research institutions to form multi-country research consortia that address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

The Call is supported through a partnership of African Science Granting Councils, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Government of Norway, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Wellcome.

Researchers and eligible institutions are invited to explore the call, identify potential consortium partners, and submit expressions of interest before the deadline of 25 September 2026 (23:59 EDT).

Learn more about the call, access the Research Matchmaking platform, and begin your application at https://call.sgci.africa/

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Published on 06 August 2026

By Jackie Opara-Fatoye