The Technology Innovation Agency has endorsed the concept note towards the establishment of the Ubuhlanti Ethnoveterinary Medicine Cluster. This strategic innovation programme is in line with the African Traditional Medicine thematic area and investment portfolio of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Business Unit at the Technology Innovation Agency.
Given that Ubuhlanti Ethnoveterinary Medicine Cluster is a collaborative innovation platform that seeks to transform indigenous knowledge relating to medicinal plants and have application in animal health, into scientifically validated, safe, affordable and commercially viable veterinary products and services, it is important that all players within the quadruple-helix model of the national system of innovation get to participate. This specific call is aimed at soliciting expressions of interest particularly from industry.
The criteria below provide a transparent basis for selecting industry partners to participate in the South African Ethnoveterinary Medicine Cluster. The Cluster brings together indigenous knowledge holders and communities, industry, academia and government to co-develop, validate, manufacture and commercialise innovative goods and services derived from South African indigenous medicinal plants and indigenous knowledge. Participation must advance ethical collaboration, community agency, scientific
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: INDUSTRY PARTNER(S)
The Technology Innovation Agency is seeking industry partner(s) with capabilities in veterinary products, manufacturing, formulation development, regulatory affairs, distribution, and/or commercialisation to join the consortium. The selected partner(s) will play a strategic role in piloting, scaling and bringing ethnoveterinary innovations to market while contributing to the development of an inclusive and sustainable animal-health value chain. Industry participation will help accelerate commercialisation, support GMP-compliant production, strengthen market access, and create lasting socio-economic benefits for rural communities and indigenous knowledge holders.
MANDATORY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1. Legal standing: the applicant must be a duly registered entity in South Africa, or a foreign entity with an appropriate South African operating arrangement, and must be in good standing with relevant registration, tax and regulatory authorities.
2. Strategic fit: the applicant must demonstrate expertise and /or a credible interest in ethnoveterinary medicines, animal health, indigenous medicinal plant products, veterinary services, agro-processing, biomanufacturing, distribution or a directly enabling value-chain capability.
3. Commitment to community partnership: the applicant must accept that indigenous knowledge holders and communities will participate as substantive partners in project design, governance, benefit-sharing and, where appropriate, enterprise opportunities.
4. Ethical and legal compliance: the applicant must commit to obtaining all applicable approvals, permits and agreements relating to indigenous knowledge, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity, animal health, veterinary products, research ethics, environmental management, data protection and intellectual property.
5. Operational capacity: the applicant must provide evidence of competent personnel, management systems and operational capability to perform its proposed role.
6. Co-investment readiness: the applicant must be willing and able to make an agreed cash and/or in-kind contribution, subject to the approved project plan and funding agreement.
7. Transparency: the applicant must disclose its ownership, beneficial interests, conflicts of interest, material litigation, regulatory findings and any proposed use of subcontractors or affiliates.
8. Acceptance of Cluster governance: the applicant must agree to the Cluster’s governance arrangements, confidentiality provisions, reporting requirements, dispute-resolution mechanisms and monitoring framework.
SUBMISSION OF EOI
Expression of Interest deadline:
19 October 2026
For inquiries please contact: