MICT SETA and TIA Seal Strategic Partnership to Boost Digital Skills and Innovation in South Africa

The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA)  has entered into a strategic partnership with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)  aimed at strengthening digital skills development and innovation in South Africa.

The collaboration was formalised on 23 June 2025 through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at MICT SETA’s Midrand offices, during a ceremony attended by senior leadership from both organisations.

The multi-year agreement will prioritise programmes aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), focusing on enhancing economic participation, employment readiness, and innovation within the digital economy.

Key areas of cooperation include the co-funding of learning programmes centred on digital skills, innovation, and incubation; the provision of internships and bursaries targeting youth, women, and persons with disabilities; and the establishment of a Research Chair in Innovation Management. The partnership also commits to supporting entrepreneurship and start-up incubation, as well as developing Digital Hubs and 4IR Centres to expand access to innovation infrastructure.

Through this initiative, MICT SETA aims to advance equitable access to education and innovation, while reinforcing its role in driving socio-economic transformation. Both organisations see the partnership as a critical step in strengthening South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI) and equipping the workforce with future-ready skills for an increasingly digital world.