South Africa prepares to regulate indigenous knowledge

“Fully operational” regulator set to start working this year, says government

South Africa will implement new indigenous knowledge-protection laws by establishing a regulatory authority this year, according to government documents.

The country’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) commits to establish a “fully functional” regulatory authority for the indigenous knowledge sector in 2024 as part of its performance plan for 2024-25, published last month.