Discover the latest developments in indigenous knowledge research, community partnerships, and groundbreaking discoveries from AIIKS.
A Presidential Lecture on Regional Integration, Industrialisation, Youth, and the Future of African Knowledge and Innovation Systems
As South Africa prepares to assume the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairship in August 2026, the country has an unprecedented opportunity to champion an African-centred development agenda rooted in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), youth innovation, industrialisation and sustainable development. This moment presents more than a leadership transition; it offers an opportunity to demonstrate how Africa’s own knowledge systems can shape resilient economies, strengthen regional cooperation and improve the wellbeing of communities across Southern Africa.
"The economic history of Southern Africa did not begin with colonial administration, railways or imported industries. Long before European expansion into the region, African societies had developed vibrant economies, advanced industries, sophisticated governance systems and extensive trade networks that connected the continent to the wider world. Recognising this history is essential not only for correcting historical misconceptions, but also for understanding the enduring value of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in shaping Africa's economic future."
What does an African-authored digital future look like? The African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIIKS) is exploring this question by bringing Indigenous Knowledge Systems into conversations about AI, digital innovation, and future learning. Through collaborative foresight initiatives, AIIKS is demonstrating how ancestral wisdom and emerging technologies can work together to create more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable futures for Africa.
The DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CEIKS), as the hub of the African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIIKS), continues to advance a transformative vision for South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI). At the heart of this mission is the commitment to building a more inclusive, representative, and socially responsive innovation landscape that values Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) alongside conventional scientific approaches.
UKZN Students Selected for Prestigious Germany-South Africa Global Exchange Programme on Climate Change and Traditional Healing Systems
MUĞLA, TURKEY – As the world rapidly navigates the expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and emerging technologies, the African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIIKS), a UNESCO Category 2 Centre (C2C) with its hub at the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CEIKS) hosted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), continues to position Africa at the forefront of global conversations surrounding ethical innovation, digitalization, and societal transformation.
MUĞLA, TURKEY – As the global community grapples with the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation, the African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIIKS) with its hub at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is set to ensure that African Indigenous Knowledge and innovation systems have a seat at the high-tech table. From 5–8 April 2026, an AIIKS delegation participated in the 2nd International Congress on Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, and Society (DIGIAI Society 2026) in the historic city of Muğla, Turkey.
A strategic partnership between India and East-Southern Africa explores the resilient power of millets for sustainable food systems.
The institute continues to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and global policy as members join the IPCC expert panel in Malaysia and Gabon.
In a landmark event for African linguistic and economic sovereignty, AIIKS co-coordinated a high-level colloquium in Dar es Salaam attended by former Heads of State.
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