President Ramaphosa arrives in California for high-level artificial intelligence learning visit to Silicon Valley
President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Saturday, 14 November 2026, arrived in California, United States of America, for a working visit to Silicon Valley. He is leading a high-level, multi-stakeholder South African delegation to gain insights into the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and inform South Africa’s approach to the development, adoption and application of AI.
The South African delegation comprises representatives from government, academia, business, research institutions, technical experts and university students, reflecting the country’s commitment to an inclusive, collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach to harnessing the opportunities presented by AI.
The programme includes engagements with leading technology companies, investors, researchers, academics and AI experts, as well as technology demonstrations and knowledge exchanges.
These engagements provide an opportunity to explore developments in frontier AI, robotics, data infrastructure, cloud computing, digital innovation and the practical application of AI across various sectors.
A key component of the visit is engagements with leading academic institutions, focusing on the implications of AI for technology, security, the economy, business and the labour market, as well as emerging developments in robotics and technological research.
The programme also features the South Africa AI Opportunity gathering, under the theme Building the African AI Economy: Infrastructure, Investment and Innovation.
The engagement brings together South African and international stakeholders to explore how South Africa can position itself as a competitive AI hub on the African continent.
Discussions focus on AI infrastructure, data centres, computing capacity, energy requirements, investment opportunities and the growth of a competitive start-up ecosystem.
Other areas of engagement include the application of AI in government and industry, law enforcement and public safety, AI safety and security, governance, skills development and the future of work.
The delegation also engages with technology and infrastructure companies to gain insights into emerging technologies, investment trends and developments shaping the global AI ecosystem.
These interactions seek to identify opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange, skills development and the strengthening of South Africa’s technological capabilities.
AI presents significant opportunities to improve productivity, strengthen public service delivery, stimulate economic growth and support the creation of new industries and employment opportunities.
In South Africa, its potential applications include health, education, criminal justice, public administration and public procurement.
The visit provides an opportunity to learn from countries and institutions at the forefront of AI development, understand the associated risks and challenges, and consider how South Africa can develop an enabling policy, regulatory and skills environment to support responsible AI adoption.
The visit also promotes South Africa as an investment destination, showcases progress in economic reforms, including through Operation Vulindlela, and highlights opportunities for investment in the country’s digital economy, research capacity and innovation ecosystem.
South Africa seeks to harness the transformative potential of AI while safeguarding digital sovereignty, policy autonomy, data protection and responsible AI governance, ensuring that technological advancement contributes meaningfully to inclusive economic growth and development.
The President is accompanied by the Ministers of Finance; International Relations and Cooperation; Science, Technology and Innovation; Trade, Industry and Competition; Communications and Digital Technologies; Electricity and Energy; Small Business Development; and the Presidency, as well as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za
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