The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Deloitte South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the World Economic Forum Affiliate Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution South Africa (C4IR SA) as it accelerates the application of emerging technologies.
The duo will draw on their complementary skills, technical expertise and capabilities to support the work of the C4IR SA, which was established by the South African government, through the Department of Science and Innovation, to assist in strengthening the enabling environment and facilitate the adoption of transformative technologies through the development of technology governance frameworks and policy implementation protocols.
C4IR SA, which is hosted by the CSIR, entered into partnerships with the World Economic Forum as an affiliate centre in the global C4IR Network to leverage digital growth opportunities across the global network.
“Public-private partnerships such as these are important in ensuring that South Africa has the necessary policies, regulations and frameworks that will enable inclusive and sustainable adoption of 4IR technologies. We are pleased to work with Deloitte as it will give us an opportunity to maximise and leverage on the capabilities from both organisations,” CSIR CEO Dr Thulani Dlamini said.
Deloitte also agreed to contribute to the centre’s overall operationalisation, establishment, strategy and development into a fully-fledged C4IR through technical expertise and strategic advice.
The partnership's key focus is technical expertise and project implementation, as well as supporting the development of C4IR SA policies, processes, procedures and systems.
Deloitte joins other corporates and organisations, such as Corporación Ruta N Medellin and Siemens, which have also pledged their support to the centre by signing agreements with the CSIR to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies.
“Deloitte is committed to working with the C4IR SA to create an enabling ecosystem for business to embrace the value of digital transformation. The key objective is to improve South Africa’s competitiveness to ensure that we enhance South Africa’s economic prospects. By playing our part in the broader communities within which we operate, we create opportunities for more inclusive growth that can close both the digital and economic divide,” said Deloitte Africa CEO Lwazi Bam.
Newly appointed C4IR SA head Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa called on the private sector, government, academia and civil society to join the centre to co-design technology governance frameworks in the country.