Shanghai delegation at Wits to explore innovation and collaboration
- Wits University
The high-profile delegation from the Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment (SSCI) visited to identify potential key strategic partnerships.
On 10 June 2025, Wits Commercial Enterprise, in collaboration with the Wits Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office, hosted a high-profile delegation from Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment (SSCI), a venture capital firm seeking investment opportunities in the African continent.
The engagement fostered dialogue on technological innovation, funding models, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The event, held at Wits’ Commerce, Law and Management Faculty, brought together innovation management practitioners, academic leaders, industry experts, and international partners to explore synergies between South African and Chinese investment strategies.
Andrew Hope-Jones set the tone with a warm welcome, followed by introductions and an overview of Wits University by Dr Samia Chasi, highlighting its role as a hub for research and innovation. The Shanghai delegation shared their approach to state-owned capital investment, while Thembela Ntlemeza provided a South African perspective on funding technological advancements.
Discussions deepened over lunch, with subsequent sessions on Wits’ funding models led by Tebogo Machethe, and venture capital insights from Mark Harris from Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. Dr Dennis Mhangami showcased the Wits Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship’s initiatives, emphasising scalable solutions for emerging markets.
The strategic discussion identified potential partnerships, with both parties committing to further explore collaboration opportunities in technological innovation. The session concluded with a shared vision to bridge resources and expertise across continents.
Reflecting on the significance of the engagement, Dr Samia Chasi noted: “The visit of the Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment (SSCI) Company was a valuable opportunity to explore ways in which Wits can deepen and broaden its engagements with China beyond university-to-university linkages. The discussions centred on fostering industry-university partnerships in innovation and research, with insightful contributions from several key players in Wits’ innovation ecosystem, including Wits Enterprise, the Wits Innovation Centre, the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct and the Centre for Entrepreneurship at the Wits Business School. We trust that further dialogue will contribute to strengthening existing links, creating new opportunities and strategically positioning Wits in Shanghai, one of the world’s leading innovation hubs.”
As a follow-up, Wits Enterprise is working with the Wits Innovation Centre and Wits Health Consortium to compile and share a list of high potential closer-to-market Wits innovations for SSCI’s investment consideration. This productive exchange has laid the foundation for future collaboration, an exciting prospect for Wits University.