Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability - RIIS

We are pleased to announce that the following specialists will be included in the panel of speakers at the Corporate Venture Capital Opportunities in Emerging Markets webinar.

Apart from Davis Cook, Chairman and Partner at RIIS, panelists include Tramayne Monaghan who is the Chief Ventures Officer at NEXT176, a venture building and strategic investment firm backed by Old Mutual Limited; Yassine LAGHZIOUI, the CEO of UM6P Ventures and the Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing at UM6P - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University; and Nurken Rzaliyev, an Investment Director at inDrive New Ventures covering North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. Panel will be facilitated by Dream VC Mark Kleyner.

The webinar is aimed at senior corporate decision makers considering the incorporation of corporate venture capital into their businesses. The session will provide an opportunity to consider the value that CVC can bring to companies, markets and economies – and how this can – or should! – be applied in the South African context. Discussions will range from background and context of CVC, constraints and motivations to successful corporate venturing, lessons learned, and what a robust CVC should look like - among others. This will be an interactive session seeking to inform, engage and prompt discussion.

Save the date: 10 June 2024 at 14:00 SAST
Register now: (https://lu.ma/SACAAS1)

Capital Dream VC Audrey Verhaeghe Saskia Nysschens Mark Kleyner Buntu Majaja SA Innovation Summit

An interesting article on Germany's lead in embedding green hydrogen into its energy offering. Recently the German government approved a draft Hydrogen Acceleration Law to expedite hydrogen project development by streamlining permitting and environmental checks.

Germany aims for carbon neutrality by 2045, ahead of the EU deadline and other economies, with a focus on hydrogen as part of its National Hydrogen Strategy which seeks to expand hydrogen electrolysis capacities to 10 GW by 2030 to meet growing hydrogen demand, particularly in industrial sectors like steelmaking and cement production.

RIIS' work in the energy sector enables us to engage with a community of energy stakeholders - from large corporations to clean-tech startups - who are investigating, investing in, and developing sustainable clean technologies, in support of our country's journey towards the hashtag .

Germany Repurposes Underground Gas Storage for Green Hydrogen | OilPrice.com Germany's government has proposed a law to accelerate the development of hydrogen projects and infrastructure to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality.

The CVC Consortium, composed of Dream VC, ANZA Capital, RIIS, and SA Innovation Summit, in collaboration with JSE Private Placements, will be presenting a webinar entitled Unlocking Innovation and Growth via CVC. The webinar will cover a range of important topics designed to equip corporate leaders and key decision-makers with critical insights on CVC, guiding them toward successful corporate venturing.

The webinar will present a rich discussion featuring African and International experts from 4+ different VC and CVC teams to explore key topics including (but not be limited to): The global landscape of CVC - where's it’s been, where it's going
Opportunities for emerging markets and the missing middle
Date: Monday, 10 June from 14:00 to 15:30 (GMT +2). You are invited to register directly at the following link: https://lu.ma/SACAAS1

This webinar forms part of a compelling series of webinars focused on unpacking the transformative potential of corporate venture capital (CVC) and its capacity to drive value enhancement and financial benefits for both South African companies and multinational corporations with current or planned in-country presence. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders seriously contemplating the incorporation of corporate venture capital into their investment and innovation strategies.

As we celebrate Africa Day on May 25th, we honor the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and innovations that make up this vibrant continent. Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, now known as the African Union, and it is a day to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead.

The day provides us with a moment in time to celebrate African ingenuity and Africa's start-up and entrepreneurial ecosystems that are hard at work innovating for sustainable futures.

Let's continue to work together towards a brighter future for Africa, leveraging our collective strengths and embracing the opportunities ahead. Join us in celebrating Africa Day and the incredible potential of this remarkable continent!

Davis Cook, RIIS Chairman, will be delivering one of the keynote addresses at the first Colloquium on the African Outer Space Program, hosted by the African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI). Davis will be speaking on 22 May, Day two of the event.

Davis will be sharing his rich knowledge on both the global and African space economies.
This year's theme, "Education, Skills Development, and Workforce Engagement for a Responsive, Competitive, and Sustainable Space Programme," aligns with the African Union's 2024 theme: Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century.

Register here to attend and participate in the colloquium: https://bit.ly/3KgMqER

National Space Day is a reminder of our boundless curiosity and relentless quest for knowledge. It's a day to honor the pioneers of space exploration and to inspire the next generation of astronauts, scientists, and engineers.

Africa has a long history and relationship with space and this day serves to remind us of this relationship and that we are not newcomers to the world's space communities.
Space exploration has transformed our understanding of the universe and revolutionized life here on Earth.

From satellite communications and GPS navigation to weather forecasting and environmental monitoring, the innovations spurred by space exploration have touched virtually every aspect of our daily lives. But the benefits of space exploration go far beyond technology. It fosters international collaboration, encourages innovation, and sparks curiosity and wonder in people of all ages. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the potential for discovery that lies within each of us.

🛠️ Happy Worker's Day, South Africa! 🎉 Today, we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers across the nation. From the factories to the offices, from the fields to the mines, your efforts power our economy and shape our society.

💪 Let's honor the legacy of those who fought for workers' rights and continue to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal opportunities for all.

🙌Whether you're a blue-collar worker, a white-collar professional, or part of the informal sector, your labor is invaluable, and you deserve to be celebrated.

👏Let's stand together in unity as we strive for a future where every worker is respected, valued, and treated with dignity. Happy Worker's Day! 🎈

The corporate career landscape in South Africa in 2024 is characterized by a blend of technological innovation, diversity, and purpose-driven aspirations. Consulting professionals play a pivotal role in navigating these dynamics, leveraging their expertise to drive organizational growth and societal impact. By embracing digital transformation, fostering diversity and inclusion, and prioritizing purpose-driven endeavors, individuals can chart fulfilling career trajectories amidst evolving opportunities and challenges.

We asked some of our consultants and analyst to share their insight on how their corporate careers are changing in a consulting environment. Vishaylin Mahadeo, consultant says; “Being employed at RIIS for the last five years has influenced how I address complex problems. Having completed a PGDip Business Administration and in the process of completing an Executive MBA, the exposure to a range of client challenges enables me to balance applying academic theory with real-world practicality and relevance." Yankho Likaku, consultant had this to say; "Building and/or being in the right team is crucial to success. This has taught me to prioritise the team, to lead effectively/responsibly and follow just as intentionally in projects to inspire collaboration.”

Reuben Reddy who recently joined us says, "RIIS is the epitome of the fact that with great responsibility comes great power. It is empowering to be relied upon to step up and deliver quality, lasting solutions with and for our clients." And Maheen Parbhoo, analyst shared this quote from Matt Ridley who stated that, “Innovation happens when people are free to think, experiment and speculate.” The conducive environment and great culture at RIIS has allowed me to evolve from an introvert into an introverted extrovert with the ability to think strategically, solve problems innovatively, and build elegant PowerPoint presentations."

We are pleased to announce that RIIS has been appointed as the host of the Digital Earth Africa Programme Management Office.
RIIS CEO, Davis Cook highlights the growing importance of incorporating earth observation data into decision-making for better and sustainable futures.

He says, “In providing free access to this data and derivative products, Digital Earth Africa breaks down barriers to participation and is a key enabler towards Africans actively participating in this new space economy.”
Digital Earth Africa looks forward continuing on with our exciting journey ahead, as we continue building the DE Africa platform - an invaluable resource for Africans, by Africans!

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/digital-earth-africa-breaks-barriers-to-participation-in-space-economy-2024-04-16

Digital Earth Africa breaks barriers to participation in space economy The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) has been appointed as the interim host for the pan-African Digital Earth Africa Programme Management Office. Digital Earth Africa is used extensively by stakeholders throughout Africa as a free platform providing satellite imagery and p...

Listen to RIIS CEO, Davis Cook's interview on the Inter Astra Institute's 'Your Business: in Space' podcast where he covers the topic: "Africa's role in the global space economy." The Inter Astra Institute is a non-profit organisation that creates and advances equitable access and opportunity for all in the business of space. In this podcast episode, Davis share his knowledge and insight on Africa's dynamic role in the global space economy, on the continent's strategic approach to space, the evolving space economy's potential new opportunities, and the impact of emerging space nations on the global stage. To listen to Davis's podcast interview here https://interastra.space/your-business-in-space/africas-role-in-the-global-space-economy-with-davis-cook

PODCAST: Africa's Role in the Global Space Economy with Davis Cook — Inter Astra Davis Cook, the CEO of RIIS (Research Institute For Innovation and Sustainability), the largest innovation advisory firm in Africa. With his extensive experience in strategy, innovation, and development, Davis has become a key figure in shaping Africa's burgeoning space economy.

Tomorrow is the International Day of Human Space Flight which marks the anniversary of the first human space flight by Russian astronaut, Yuri Gagarin. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs says that the day reaffirms “the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals.”

Tomorrow, outer space is not only about space exploration and outer space. As more than 7,000 satellites currently orbit earth, recording, capturing and conveying multitudes of data back down to earth.
Space-based tools and technologies such as satellite navigation and earth observation data have enabled diverse actors across multiple sectors - from start-ups to corporations and government agencies - to collaborate and innovate solutions and services.

This is the new space economy, and one which Yuri may never have anticipated when he flew into space more than 60 years ago.
At RIIS, our expertise in the space sector is focused on growing the continent's emerging space innovation ecosystem. This includes initiatives with likeminded clients and partners that support the emergence of African space-tech entrepreneurs and start-ups. If you’d like to find out more, contact us at [email protected]

We’re pleased to share an incredible opportunity for Africa’s next generation of global leaders. Apply today to the Australia Awards, to obtain a Master’s qualification at an Australian tertiary institution.

Entries close on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024.

The Australia Awards are prestigious, transformation international awards offered by the Australian Government. Open to eligible African recipients, they seek to develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.

Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and potential to create an impact on development challenges. Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups.

The scholarship opportunity covers return air travel a one-off establishment allowance on arrival, full tuition fees, contribution to living expenses and an introductory academic program. Additionally, there is overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship, supplementary academic support, and a fieldwork allowance for research students and master by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.

Recipients can apply from the following countries: Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

You must be a minimum of 25 years of age on 1 February 2025, with a minimum five year’s of post-graduate work experience, working in a field relative to your field of study. Please note that you should have an undergraduate degree, but should not already hold - or be undertaking - a Master’s degree or equivalent.

Priority areas for study include climate change, agriculture and food security, mining and energy, foreign policy and international security, and gender, disability and social inclusion.

For more information on the Awards, the qualifying criteria, and how to apply, click here: https://lnkd.in/e22bCtgx

Rwanda Space Agency, in collaboration with Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali, RIIS - Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, and supported by The RISA Fund, is thrilled to announce the launch of the iSTAR program! This program aims to harness the transformative potential of geo-spatial data and Satellite imagery to address critical challenges across key sectors such as Agriculture and Food Security, Environmental Resources and Disaster Management, and Urbanization.

iSTAR invites entrepreneurs and innovators who:
-Utilize data-driven approaches, particularly involving geo-spatial and satellite data.
-Operate within the realms of urbanization, agriculture, environmental conservation, and disaster management.
-Aim to develop innovative solutions that will shape policy-making and enhance sustainability.
-Value the critical role of data in enhancing product and service delivery.

Applications are now open via: https://bit.ly/43MZhrw

Application Deadline: 6th April 2024.

RIIS executive, Imraan Saloojee, together with consultants Louis Sopp and Yankho Likaku, are attending the NewSpace Africa Conference in Luanda, Angola from 2-5 April 2024. At RIIS we are committed to interacting with space industry peers and organisations to build, network and support the development of Africa's space innovation ecosystem.

NewSpace Africa is a four-day conference - organised by Space in Africa and the African Union, - that features selected keynote speakers, heads of African space agencies, top executives, leaders of space agencies and many more key space actors.

One of the sessions that Imraan, Louis and Yanko attended yesterday was a panel discussion: Status updates of African Space Agencies. Panelists included Jessie Ndaba, CEO and Co-founder of Astrofica Technologies; Professor Islam Abou El-magd, Acting President of the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Egypt; Gweme Painos, Coordinator at the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA); Frederic Ouattara, Project Lead at BurkinaSat-1; Dr Lisho Mundia Director of Research and Innovation in the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Namibia; and Dr Aboubakar Mambimba Ndjoungal, Director-General of the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations (AGEOS).

Of the panel discussion, Yankho says that, "The level of detail given to every segment of the space sector in Africa is extremely encouraging and is giving rise to growth and expansion of the continent's space ecosystem."

At RIIS we are deeply interested in – and committed to facilitating and amplifying – all things innovation. Space is one of our key operating sectors. The celebration of World Meteorological Day gives us the opportunity to recognize both!
The theme for this year’s World Meteorological Day is the Future of Weather. Given the immense innovations and advances in weather monitoring and predictive capabilities, there is no better theme.

Let's explore:
A host of terrestrial and space-based tools are used to ensure accuracy. For example, weathers satellites monitor Earth from space, collecting observational data. Polar orbiting satellites, which operate close to the Earth's surface are able to capture up to seven detailed images per day. Geostationary satellites, which remain at the same position above the Earth's surface, capture images every 30 seconds. Deep space satellites face the sun to monitor powerful solar storms and space weather.

Other advances in meteorological tools include AI-powered weather stations which can learn and adapt to changing weather patterns. And the Internet of Things-connected weather stations are able to measure local weather conditions, which can be crucial in areas prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, while relaying data swiftly to ensure immediate response measures are possible.

Tomorrow South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day which reminds us about how important it is to respect fundamental human rights. According to the South African Bill of Rights (as enshrined in the Constitution), we all have the right to life, equality, and human dignity.

These rights belong to each and every person, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion or foreign nationality. It is up to all of us to respect these rights with intentionality and encourage others to do so too.

Imraan Saloojee will be speaking at the webinar, "The African Outer Space Programme: the role and expectations of the African Space Council”.

Early this year the African Space Council was constituted at the 44th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council. This continues the progressive steps that have been taken by the AU to implement its continental space programme which included the establishment of the African Space Agency in 2018.

The webinar, hosted by the African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI), seeks to answer questions such as, what the strategic and oversight roles are that the African Space Council will – and should – perform, and what the expectations of the Council will be with regards to the African Space Agency?

Imraan Saloojee joins a host of high-level speakers which includes Professor Islam El-Magd (President, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Egypt), Mestar Amine (Secretary General, Algerian Space Agency), Joan Chesoni (member of Kenya Space Agency board of directors), Ahmed El Fadhel (President and co-Founder, NeuronSat) and Julia Selman Ayetey (Dean, Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana).
J
oin this webinar on Wednesday, 27 March on Zoom at 10:00AM -11:30AM GMT.
Register here: https://bit.ly/SpacePolicyRoundtableV

A survey of the South African mining industry’s investment into research, development and innovation (RD&I) will give fresh insights into what is encouraging funding and what is holding it back. RIIS is pleased to have facilitated a partnership between the Minerals Council South Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) which have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct the survey to gain a full understanding of the RD&I investment environment in South Africa as mining modernises operations, making them safer, and socially and environmentally sustainable. The inclusive, industry-wide survey will gain critical insights into the key investment aspects that encourage – or impede – mining innovation in South Africa.

https://www.miningweekly.com/article/minerals-council-hsrc-to-conduct-survey-into-mining-research-innovation-investment-2024-02-28

Minerals Council, HSRC to conduct survey into mining research, innovation investment Minerals Council South Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a survey to gain a comprehensive overview of the research, development and innovation (RD&I) investment environment in South Africa as mining modernises operations, makin...

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? We picked the brains of a few of our RIIS women, asking them what this year's theme - Investing in Women: Accelerate Progress – means to them.

Anita Kooij, analyst: Women have always been the keepers of time, knowledge, and the future of humanity.

Ashleigh Muller, analyst: Investing in women’s development increases society’s pool of innovators, spurring on discovery.

Thandeka Mhlanga, consultant: It is a woman’s nature to multiply, that which she has been given.

Mpho Bogatsu, analyst: , Investing in women amplifies diverse perspectives, driving rapid advancement in innovation and fostering inclusive growth in various industries.

Kimehra Govindasamy, analyst: As many as 43% of South African households are women-led. It follows that when women are empowered, families are empowered, and communities become more resilient.

Lithakazi Nxiweni, consultant: Investing in women goes beyond equality; it's a strategy for smarter, more creative problem-solving and innovation.

Wishing you all a wonderful International Women’s Day.

An interesting article on Energy Central, reports on the deregulation of Africa's energy sector and highlights (among others) the gazetting of Kenya's Open Access energy regulations.

Kenya's energy regulator fast-tracked open access to the grid, which enables IPPs to supply electricity directly to large customers through the national network, under regulation guidelines from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). Also, the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) has plans to implement a competitive power trading market by the end of December 2024 which will allow the EAPP's 13 member countries to sell excess electricity in cross-border transmission projects.

Deregulation: Easing of regulation is driving African innovation across the continent’s energy sector Deregulation: Easing of regulation is driving African innovation across the continent’s energy sector

Recently, RIIS CEO Davis Cook was invited to contribute to SpaceTech in Gulf’s webinar entitled, "Exploring advancements in the African space industry." Davis spoke alongside a group of pioneers in the space industry who shared their insights and knowledge. with the attendees of the webinar.

.

Davis Cook - "Exploring Advancements in the African Space Industry" Davis CookCEO · RIIS - Research Institute for Innovation and SustainabilityDavis Cook: Visionary Leader and Change Catalyst With a background in global consu...

The mining industry makes up more than a third of exports from African countries, and contributes an estimated 4.5% to the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP). This is according to a deep dive article in Mining Review Africa, about the challenges to African mining.Challenges include regulatory and policy uncertainty and environmental and social concerns, among a host of other persistent challenges.

The article describes how technological innovation is reshaping Africa’s mining industry for improved performance and safety. This raises the challenge of making an investment in new technologies while also making sure that the workforce is equipped with the necessary abilities.

The Mandela Mining Precinct, a public-private partnership, aims to understand the effects, impacts and challenges of mining modernisation on people in the minerals sector through one of its core programmes, the Successful Application of Technology Centered Around People (SATCAP). RIIS been the lead partner on one of SATCAP’s research projects since 2022, together with a consortium of research and academic partners. RIIS was part of the team that crafted the blueprint for the Mandela Mining Precinct.

The Mandela Mining Precinct was created specifically to add impetus to the research and development strategy for the mining sector and has a mandate to implement the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development, Innovation (SAMERDI) strategy and the) programme, the latter being one of its core programmes. The public private partnership is funded by the Minerals Council South Africa and the Department of Science and Innovation.


Read more here

What are the challenges in Africa's mining industry? Mining in Africa, despite its significant economic impact, is currently undergoing significant transformation.

A joint report by Times Higher Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), titled Gender Equality: How Global Universities are Performing found that African universities have the highest percentage of women science graduates in the world. But it lags behind in other gender equality areas, a report has found.

In continuing our series on some of the remarkable ladies that work at RIIS in the scientific field inspired by the International Day of Girls and Women in Science we highlight Tarryn Vink. Tarryn has an MCom and has been focusing on work in the mining sector. RIIS is proud to work with such incredible women in the scientific field who continue to make the world a better place.

A reminder to join RIIS CEO Davis Cook at the Space Tech in Gulf webinar today. The webinar – Exploring advancements in the African space industry - gathers a group of thought leaders to provide insight into Africa's space economy. For anyone interested in space, in growing Africa's space innovation ecosystem, and the exciting opportunities space technologies provide for Africa's development, this is an event not to be missed.
The webinar will be held at 3pm (GMT +2) and you are invited to register at the link below.
https://lnkd.in/d4BjmV2R

The International Day for Girls and Women in Science is declared by the United Nations and it is celebrated annually on the 11th of February to encourage women and girls to take up science. In South Africa only 13% of graduates in the STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field are women, therefore it is important to celebrate the girls and women in science as they are the ideal role models for others to pursue STEM.

RIIS is proud to celebrate the many wonderful women who are actively seeking to innovate for change through science. This week we highlight some of the wonderful women scientists who are an integral part of the RIIS team. Paleesha Naidoo is one such team member, and she holds a Bachelors in Industrial Engineering and a Masters of Engineering:
Technology and Innovation Management.

Paleesha Naidoo, (BENG Industrial, MENG Technology and Innovation Management).