Dr. Sechaba Bareetseng is a global innovation strategist and science‑policy leader with over 18 years of experience in research, technology transfer, and international cooperation. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of the Free State and a Master of Management in Innovation Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand, and serves as Director for Africa Development at WAITRO and Senior Business Manager at JITRI, driving Africa-China collaboration, institutional outreach, and capacity building.
He has spearheaded pioneering biosciences and indigenous knowledge initiatives at the Medical Research Council, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, AUDA‑NEPAD SANBio, and the CSIR, with projects funded by the Government of South Africa, UNDP/Global Environment Facility‑6, the SADC Secretariat and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Internationally, Dr. Bareetseng has championed Africa’s innovation agenda as a keynote speaker, presenter and panellist at leading global platforms such as the World Science Forum, the WAITRO Summit 2024 in China, and GSTIC Conferences in Brazil and India, alongside major forums across the African continent. His contributions have influenced global dialogues on bio‑innovation, access and benefit sharing, and the integration of indigenous knowledge into sustainable development.
Currently based in China, his vision is to strengthen Africa’s leadership in global innovation ecosystems, fostering sustainable partnerships that drive science, technology, and socioeconomic progress.
