MEC Maile, MEC for Finance and Gauteng Economic Development,

GGDA and TIHMC Board Members,

CEOs of National Systems of Innovations,

Our Partners in the innovation ecosystem,

Moderators and Panel Members,

Our stakeholders in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem,

Our esteemed Guests, Members of the media, good afternoon.

It is with great pleasure that I officially welcome you all to The Innovation Hub, the innovation agency of the Gauteng Province and a subsidiary of Gauteng Growth and Development strategically tasked with driving innovation and entrepreneurship in Gauteng. We are honoured to host this pivotal Round Table Discussion geared towards driving the growth of innovation and economic investment in Gauteng, an initiative that is paving the way for the Gauteng Investment Conference set to take place on 03 April 2025.

On Monday and Tuesday, our space was abuzz with 100 learners from Gauteng Schools, where we equipped them with knowledge and practical insights into artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. This initiative underscores our commitment to empowering the youth with essential skills in these critical fields.

Today, we gather here to explore a theme that is not just timely but essential: “Unlocking Gauteng’s Innovation Potential: Tech Hubs and Digital Skills.” In a world where technology is rapidly shaping every part of our lives, ensuring we are equipped with the digital skills to meet the demands of tomorrow is a top priority. At The Innovation Hub, we are committed to harnessing the potential of our innovators to tackle service delivery challenges and drive meaningful improvements across sectors.

As Africa’s first accredited Science and Technology Park, The Innovation Hub has always been at the forefront of this journey. We have seen firsthand how transformative technology can be. However, this transformation does not happen in isolation. It requires critical stakeholders driving technological innovation to come together, collaborate, share ideas, and challenge each other to improve the innovation capability and knowledge economy of our province.

What excites me most about today’s roundtable discussion is the opportunity to engage openly about how we can drive innovation and economic investment and truly unlock the potential of Gauteng’s innovation ecosystem. The conversations we have today will shape how we respond to the growing need for tech hubs and digital skills and how we can better support our work to thrive.

But, of course, we cannot do this alone. Your participation today—whether you are from the private sector, public sector, or the innovation community—is crucial. Your input, expertise, and energy will shape the future of our tech hubs and digital skills development. Let us not forget that the solutions we are discussing today will have a real impact on people’s lives, communities, and businesses.

Let us make the most of this opportunity to connect, learn from each other, and find creative, practical ways to drive innovation forward. We are all here because we believe in the potential of Gauteng to lead in this new era of technology. Together, we can unlock that potential and create a future where innovation is not just a buzzword but a way of life.

“Advancing Innovation to Grow Gauteng for Tomorrow”

I Thank You!