South africa: The Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation conducted an oversight visit to the National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System (NICIS) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Rosebank to assess NICIS's infrastructure, capabilities, and its contribution to South Africa's digital transformation agenda.
According to African Press Organization, the visit highlighted the NICIS's role in promoting scientific and industrial development by providing high-performance computing capability, high-speed network connectivity, and a national research data infrastructure. These services support South Africa's research and education communities by integrating into globally connected systems and local research infrastructure.
The NICIS operates under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, implemented by CSIR. It comprises three main components: the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), the South African National Research Network (SANReN), and the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA). These pillars provide resources and services essential for academia, government, and industry, including high-speed network services and national data infrastructure to support data-driven discoveries.
Key findings from the committee's visit included the capabilities of the CHPC, which houses Lengau, one of Africa's fastest supercomputers. Lengau enables advanced scientific research and computational analysis. The NICIS also enhances secure digital infrastructure, supporting government data protection, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty.
NICIS's infrastructure supports sectors such as engineering, ICT, biotechnology, mining, and aerospace through advanced computing and AI. The CHPC's computing power positions South Africa as a leader in AI and data-intensive research on the continent. Additionally, NICIS provides high-speed connectivity and secure data services to educational and research institutions, reinforcing national research and education infrastructure.
The committee observed that although the CHPC is crucial for AI technologies and other sectors, it requires expansion due to reaching maximum capacity. There is a continuous need for investment to upgrade the infrastructure of CHPC, SANReN, and DIRISA to keep pace with evolving digital technologies and global standards. Such investment is vital to strengthen South Africa's technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign services, while expanding secure, locally hosted data capabilities.
The oversight visit underscored NICIS's critical role in advancing South Africa's digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. Continued investment in high-performance computing infrastructure and secure national data storage is crucial for enhancing scientific research, digital public services, AI capabilities, and the country's global competitiveness in science, technology, and innovation.
