Leveraging technology and innovation for strategic safety, security, and resilience in South Africa

South Africa’s strategic safety and security technology capabilities offer significant potential to address national and global development challenges. From disaster response to digital infrastructure, homegrown innovation can play a vital role in building more resilient, inclusive, and secure societies. Unlocking this potential requires a whole-of-society approach — leveraging public–private partnerships (PPPs) to align technological progress with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

This session will explore four thematic deep dives into key technologies and innovation pathways. Specific opportunities to be highlighted include: secure digital infrastructure through PKI (SDGs 9.1, 16.a), long-range cameras for safer cities and borders (SDGs 11.1, 16.1), K-line sensors for early warning and climate resilience (SDGs 11.5, 13.1), and sovereign remote sensing for resource monitoring and disaster response (SDGs 13.2, 15.1). Together, these examples demonstrate how targeted joint ventures can accelerate progress on resilience (SDGs 9, 11), safety (SDG 16), and sustainable resource management (SDGs 13, 15).