Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme

Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme (SAIS) 2 is a regional initiative that supports the growth of new businesses through strengthening innovation ecosystems and the promotion of cross-border collaboration between innovation role-players in Southern Africa. The Programme focuses on strengthening early-stage enterprises and young entrepreneurs, connecting innovation ecosystems, and promoting innovations serving socially or economically disadvantaged populations. The overall objective of SAIS 2 is enhanced regional innovation cooperation and national innovation systems contributing to inclusive business and development. SAIS 2 will run for four years from 2017-2021. The programme activities are managed by a Programme Management Office (SAIS 2 PMO) located in Windhoek, Namibia and hosted by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology. The SAIS 2 PMO is supported by national Focal Points which are the national organisations mandated to promote and coordinate Science Technology and Innovation (STI) in the five SAIS 2 partner countries.