• New training equips policymakers with digital tools for smarter governance

    The Policy Innovation Lab equips policymakers with digital skills to enhance evidence-based governance. A recent training covered AI, modelling, and citizen-generated data, fostering ethical and responsible decision-making. Participants praised the sessions’ practical approach to advancing data-driven policy insights.

  • Policy Innovation Lab facilitates meeting with IDOS to boost evidence-based policymaking in South Africa

    The Policy Innovation Lab recently hosted a multistakeholder workshop with IDOS, a Germany-based global think tank, to enhance South Africa's policy advisory capacity. They shared strategies for evidence-based policymaking and overcoming challenges. The goal is to build an effective, independent approach supporting inclusive and sustainable development.

  • Policy Innovation Lab strengthens policy costing skills with new training

    The Policy Innovation Lab recently facilitated an online Policy Costing Refresher Course, equipping policy makers with up-to-date knowledge and expertise to make more informed, evidence-based decisions that align with global best practices.

  • Rethinking policymaking in the era of AI: Insights from Meta’s annual open innovation workshop

    In October 2024, Prof. Willem Fourie participated in Meta’s Open Innovation AI Research Community Annual Workshop in London. He discussed the use of large language models to enhance policy advice in South Africa, addressing both their benefits and ethical challenges while emphasising the need for innovative policymaking approaches.

  • Lab team member invited to discuss COP29 hosted on OFM’s Business Hour

    The Lab's Monique Bennett recently discussed COP29 in Baku, the "Finance COP" aiming to mobilise $1 trillion for emerging economies on OFM. Azerbaijan's dual role as climate contributor and victim highlights the challenges that fossil fuel-dependent nations face in aligning economic goals with climate commitments.

  • Policy Innovation Lab in dialogue on the changing nature of development aid

    Prof. Willem Fourie participated in a dialogue at ODI on reframing development aid in a post-aid world, addressing the trust deficit, evolving aid narratives, and building equitable partnerships between Northern and Southern actors.

  • Big data for smarter policy decisions

    Learn how SU's Policy Innovation Lab is strengthening policymaking with AI – developing new tools, strategies and collaborations to fast-track SDG achievements in South Africa and beyond.

  • UN Summit of the Future adopts Global Digital Compact to shape AI and digital technologies

    The recently-adopted Global Digital Compact marks the beginning of a new era of international cooperation on digital technologies and AI. Its success hinges on the active engagement of all stakeholders, including governments, private sector entities, civil society and international organisations.

  • Publication announcement: Briefing note on AI tools for South African policymakers

    We are excited to announce the release of our latest briefing note 'A Catalogue of Artificial Intelligence Tools for Use by South African Policymakers', offering practical insights into AI's role in public sector innovation and service delivery.

  • Policy Innovation Lab engages with German experts on AI-driven public sector transformation

    Prof. Willem Fourie participated in a workshop with key German institutions to explore AI in public administration, highlighting the Policy Innovation Lab’s work on strengthening policymaking through data science and AI tools.

  • SU’s Policy Lab helps build public sector trust in AI with online catalogue of tools

    Stellenbosch University’s Policy Innovation Lab is building public sector trust in AI through a new online catalogue of AI tools. The newly-released searchable catalogue showcases AI applications relevant to South Africa, drawing from the European Union’s best practices to improve service delivery and administration and build public trust.

  • Dr Gray Manicom represents Lab at Meta LLM community meetup

    In August, Meta hosted the Llama Community Meetup at their headquarters in Johannesburg, following the release of Meta’s latest open-source large language model, Llama 3.1. Dr Gray Manicom represented the Policy Innovation Lab at the meeting, and discusses some of the highlights.

  • Prof Willem Fourie appointed as inaugural Chair of Policy Innovation

    Stellenbosch University has appointed Prof Willem Fourie as the inaugural Chair of Policy Innovation at the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking. The Chair will create a platform for high-impact and societally-relevant research on the application and governance of data science tools to enhance policymaking in South Africa.

  • New GSMA report highlights AI’s potential economic impact in Africa

    The GSMA has released a new report highlighting AI's potential to boost Africa's economy by $2.9 trillion by 2030, significantly advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, it analyzes over 90 use cases in agriculture, food security, energy, and climate action, and examines the maturity of AI ecosystems.

  • Goalkeepers profile: Emmanuel Bonoko

    The Policy Innovation Lab, proud host of the South Africa SDG Goalkeepers network, is this month profiling the impactful work of Goalkeeper Emmanuel Bonoko, whose EBonoko Foundation champions education and economic empowerment in underprivileged communities.

  • Lab roundtable brings together AI experts and policymakers

    A recent roundtable meeting held in Stellenbosch by the Policy Innovation Lab brought together experts from various fields to discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and governance to strengthen policymaking in South Africa.

  • Policy Innovation Lab releases briefing note on digital transformation in the public sector

    The Policy Innovation Lab has released a briefing note proposing a framework for digital transformation in South Africa's public sector.

  • Goalkeepers South Africa community event held in Johannesburg

    The Goalkeepers South Africa community recently met in Johannesburg. Our wrap-up video gives you a sneak peak into this amazing group of people.

  • Policy Innovation Lab releases detailed comparison of ANC, DA, EFF and MK Party manifestos

    The Policy Innovation Lab has released one of the most comprehensive analysis of convergence and divergence in the manifestos of the ANC, DA, EFF and MK Party.

  • Goalkeepers profile: Ssanyu Sematimba

    The Policy Innovation Lab, proud host of the South Africa SDG Goalkeepers network, is this month profiling the amazing work of the Goalkeeper Ssanyu Sematimba.

  • How South Africa’s new government could approach digital transformation

    We analysed how South Africa's political parties intend to approach digital transformation.

  • Celebrating vision and collaboration: A day with Goalkeepers South Africa

    The Goalkeepers South Africa community recently met for an exciting planning day.

  • Dr Itai Makone at INGSA 2024 in Kigali

    Dr Itai Makone from the Policy Innovation Lab participated in the INGSA 2024 conference in Kigali, discussing the importance of scientific advice in policymaking.

  • SU’s Policy Innovation Lab a first in Africa

    Stellenbosch University, through a partnership with the Presidency, the German government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, recently officially launched Africa's first Policy Innovation Lab.

  • Policy Innovation Lab the newest member of Cluster of Research Excellence

    The Policy Innovation Lab has recently joined the ARUA-Guild Cluster of Research Excellence on the politics of sustainable development.