What question did this study set out to answer?

This paper examines the current state of technology transfer in South Africa and identifies areas for improvement.

May 25, 2026Open Access

Technology transfer in South Africa: the road ahead

Key Points

This paper examines the current state of technology transfer in South Africa and identifies areas for improvement.
Review of existing technology transfer frameworks in South Africa
Discussion of the role of university technology transfer offices
Analysis of the commercialisation process of research innovations
Identified gaps in technology transfer capacity within publicly financed institutions
Observed a need for strengthened support systems for researchers and entrepreneurs
Highlighted the economic potential of improved technology transfer processes

Abstract

The journey of a researcher or entrepreneur's good idea to a viable and scalable technology which can be commercialised can be helped along by a strong technology transfer office. Nazeem Mustapha, Firdous Khan and Gerard Ralphs reflect on how is South Africa faring when it comes to building this capacity within its publicly-financed research institutions. Technology transfer is big business in leading university towns around the world.

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Discussion

Authors

Human Sciences Research Council

Actions

References and Citations

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Technology transfer in South Africa: the road ahead

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Actions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Cite this study