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About IFOW

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is establishing itself as a quality-driven, innovative institution in South Africa. Reflecting its commitment to excellence and advancing technological innovation, TUT’s mission is to bridge critical skills gaps, empower its students through agile work-integrated learning (WIL), foster an entrepreneurial mindset, particularly in its students, and advance research that addresses societal challenges. In pursuit of these goals, the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) was established in 2021 to anticipate and address the evolving demands of the 4th and emerging 5th Industrial Revolutions.

Through forging strategic multi-sector partnerships, IFOW conducts high-impact research, provides skills development programmes anticipating industry shifts and evolutions, engages in bespoke, innovation driven projects and drives the discourse around 4/5IR and the future of work. This is done to ensure that TUT's students and the larger workforce are equipped with the competencies required to thrive in the rapidly evolving world of work.

Background

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is reshaping global economies, redefining industries, and transforming the nature of work. Its transformative power is evident in breakthroughs across artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, IoT, quantum computing, and blockchain technologies. Yet, as South Africa and the broader African continent remain largely technology consumers rather than creators. As digitalization accelerates, it presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges, particularly for developing nations such as South Africa and the broader Global South. There is an urgent need to transition to a model of innovation-led growth. Failing to act puts us at risks of widening the digital divide and exacerbating existing inequalities. Conversely, intentional strategies around emerging technologies could catalyse sustainable development, economic transformation, and job creation across Africa

The South African 4IR Commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019, provided a strategic roadmap for harnessing the potential of 4IR for inclusive growth and industrial transformation. The goal was to position South Africa as a global leader, focusing on innovation and its potential for economic transformation, ensuring that our citizens, especially our youth, are prepared for the changes to come. Similarly, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 sets an ambitious vision for a dynamic, integrated, and globally competitive Africa. Complementing these regional frameworks, the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Job Forum Report underscores the need for proactive measures in skills development, public–private partnerships, and the ethical use of AI to secure sustainable economic growth.

Dialogue Focus for 2025

As AI continues to reshape industries, ways of work and society at large, it is important to collaboratively develop strategies that will ensure that Africa is able to transition into new eras of industrial revolution effectively and efficiently. Building on past dialogues, this year’s dialogue will focus on understanding our status quo from an innovation, entrepreneurial ecosystem and policy standpoint and pragmatically assess how we can still leverage 4IR to spearhead innovation and industrialisation across the continent. It will emphasize policy pathways that bridge digital skills development, technological innovation, and inclusive economic growth.

Key discussion points will include:

  • Bridging the Digital Divide and Skills Gap: Critically reviewing the recommendations of the 4IR Commission and evaluating progress in skills development policies to ensure South Africa transitions from a technology consumer to an innovation leader.
  • Inclusive Economic Growth: Examining government interventions and policy frameworks (e.g., National Digital Transformation Strategy and National Skills Development Strategy) designed to reduce economic disparities, stimulate job creation, and foster industrialisation, and discussing the traction made towards set goals.
  • Innovation Ecosystems and Technology Commercialization: Exploring how universities, incubators, and the private sector can foster high-growth startups, accelerate R&D, and support digital transformation across industries.
  • Harnessing AI for Sustainable Development: Assessing the role of artificial intelligence in driving productivity, enhancing innovation, and ensuring that technological progress translates into broad-based economic benefits.

This year’s dialogue will also be shaped by the G20’s emphasis on digital skills and innovation, particularly as South Africa hosts this year’s summit on 22 – 23 November 2025. The G20 Summit brings together leaders from different countries to foster a development-oriented inclusive global economy. The summit has consistently recognized digital upskilling and reskilling as critical levers for economic resilience, job creation, and industrial transformation. Discussions at this year’s dialogue will align with key G20 frameworks such as the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG), which prioritizes digital skills development, responsible AI adoption, and innovation-led growth. The dialogue will also explore South Africa’s role in advancing the G20 Framework on Digital Transformation and how these policies can be localized to address unique national challenges.

Objectives

The dialogue aims to convene thought leaders, policymakers, academics, and industry experts from across South Africa and Africa to:

  • Critically assess the implementation of the 4IR Commission’s recommendations and identify gaps that must be addressed.
  • Forecast the implications of the 5th Industrial Revolution for the African workforce and identify the skills required for the future.
  • Develop a multi-sectoral, actionable policy roadmap to leverage emerging technologies, drive inclusive growth, and enhance Africa’s global competitiveness.
  • Strengthen public–private partnerships that support innovation ecosystems and catalyse the transformation from technology consumers to creators.

Focus Areas

  1. Policy Formulation for Future Skills: Influence curricula and skills development programmes to prepare a 5IR-ready workforce.
  2. Inclusive Economic Growth and Industrialisation: Create policies that stimulate job creation and reduce economic inequality, with a particular focus on marginalized communities.
  3. Shaping Future-Ready Workforces: Outlining the role of higher education and industry collaboration in closing digital skills gaps to ensure a skilled workforce that can thrive in an increasing digitised world.
  4. Digital Transformation and AI: Identify opportunities for leveraging AI and other digital technologies to boost productivity and sustainable development.
  5. Public–Private Partnerships: Foster collaborations among government, industry, academia, and civil society to drive the digital agenda forward.

Expected Outcomes

  • Actionable Policy Recommendations: Co-developed strategies and policy frameworks to support a future-ready, inclusive workforce.
  • Enhanced Regional Collaboration: Strengthened partnerships across sectors to drive sustainable development and digital innovation.
  • A Future Research Agenda: A comprehensive advisory framework to guide IFOW’s research priorities for 2026/7.
  • Catalytic Impact: A renewed commitment to transition Africa from being a passive technology consumer to a proactive technology creator, ensuring long-term economic resilience.

Conclusion

The Annual Future of Work Dialogue offers a vital platform to address the complex challenges faced by developing nations in an era of rapid technological change. Through multi-sector collaboration and informed policy dialogue, we can accelerate Africa’s development trajectory, secure food systems, and harness AI to drive sustainable economic growth. This is an opportunity to transform challenges into a roadmap for inclusive and innovative development for South Africa and the global South.