CEO Talking Points

Speaker: Dr. Bangani Mpangalasane, CEO of The Innovation Hub
Event: Resurge Conference
Location: Durban, South Africa

Good morning, esteemed guests, colleagues, and innovators.

My name is Dr. Bangani Mpangalasane, CEO of The Innovation Hub, Africa’s first Science and Technology Park and the innovation agency of the Gauteng Province strategically tasked with driving innovation and entrepreneurship in Gauteng.

Let me start by thanking the organisers of the Resurge Conference for convening this critical conversation — and for doing so here in Durban, a city with immense potential to rise as one of Africa’s next great tech and innovation hubs.

Durban is not just a beautiful coastal city — it’s a strategically positioned powerhouse. It has all the ingredients: geographic advantage, digital infrastructure, a young and dynamic population, and a growing innovation culture.

3. Innovation as an Economic Driver

Innovation is more than technology — it’s an economic engine:

• Durban can develop innovation clusters in:
• Fintech
• Maritime and ocean economy tech
• Artificial Intelligence
• Green and renewable energy
• Start-ups are the lifeblood of any innovation hub. They need incubation, access to funding, and mentorship ecosystems.

4. Lessons from Gauteng & The Innovation Hub

Let me share a few insights from our journey in Gauteng:

• At The Innovation Hub, we’ve grown a thriving ecosystem through incubators, accelerators, and strategic partnerships.
• We’ve worked with Multiple Helix stakeholders — government, academia, and industry — to scale innovation and drive impact.
• We’ve also built bridges internationally — giving start-ups access to export markets, mentors, and global capital.
• Durban doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel — it can adapt these lessons to local strengths, especially in coastal commerce, logistics, and the blue economy.
• Our success was rooted in policy alignment, market access, and collaborative leadership.

5. Coastal Commerce Meets Technology

1. Durban’s Strategic Advantage

Durban’s strengths are unique and globally significant:

• Africa’s busiest port: This city already plays a central role in trade and logistics — imagine what tech-enabled logistics can do to elevate that further.
• Submarine cable landings: Durban is a gateway to global digital connectivity, an asset many cities can only dream of.
• Strong universities and a youthful population: This creates a rich talent pipeline ready to power innovation and entrepreneurship.

2. The Role of Digital Infrastructure

Durban’s ambition to become a tech hub will depend on reliable, high-performance digital infrastructure:

• High-speed broadband, modern data centres, and smart city systems are non- negotiables for any thriving innovation ecosystem.
• Building this foundation requires cross-sector collaboration — between government, business, academia, and civil society — to develop a sustainable digital future.
• Smart ports using AI and IoT to improve logistics and reduce emissions.
• A digitally enabled e-commerce corridor, connecting Durban to global trade networks.
• Green innovation in tourism, marine sustainability, and coastal infrastructure.

6. Regional & Global Collaboration

No city can thrive in isolation. Durban must position itself as:

• A node in Africa’s innovation corridor, alongside Gauteng, Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos, and others.
• A hub that leverages its digital infrastructure and coastal advantage to attract foreign direct investment, technology partnerships, and talent.

7. The Vision – Durban Rising

Imagine Durban as:

• A gateway for digital trade across Africa and beyond.
• A magnet for top-tier talent and entrepreneurial energy.
• A beacon of coastal innovation, leading on sustainability and smart infrastructure.

Closing – Collaboration & Unity

But let’s be clear: no city rises alone.

This resurgence must be a collective mission — across government, business, academia, and the innovation community. Together, we can ensure Durban rises — not just for KwaZulu-Natal — but for Africa and the world.

So, my message today is simple: Durban is ready to resurge. And if we work together — government, business, academia, and innovators — we can make sure this city doesn’t just rise for KwaZulu-Natal, but for Africa and the world.

Durban is ready to resurge. And we, at The Innovation Hub, are ready to walk this journey with you.

Thank you.