20th Public Sector Innovation
Conference 2026


INNOVATION - A GAME CHANGER

20 - 21 AUG 2026

REGISTER
About This Event

The CPSI is delighted to announce the 20th Annual Public Sector Innovation Conference which the Centre will host on behalf of the Minister for the Public Service and Administration on 20 - 21 August 2026 at Forever Resort, Bela Bela.

The Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) is a national government component under the Minister for the Public Service and Administration. The CPSI executes a highly strategic mandate to entrench a culture and practice of innovation in the public service to improve service delivery which involves collaborating with public, private, academic and civil-society sectors on key activities such as:
  • advancing needs-driven research and development;
  • unearthing, demonstrating, sharing, showcasing and rewarding innovation in the public sector, and
  • testing, piloting, and incubating new innovations – and supporting the replication of innovative solutions
These key functions are carried out using various platforms which include, the Annual Public Sector Innovation Awards Programme, the Annual Public Sector Innovation Conference and a Developers’ Convention (DevCon).
CONFERENCE DELEGATES: We invite public officials from the three spheres of government, particularly those who are directly involved in projects, as well as private sector, academia and civil society.
Come and be part of captivating dialogues and extensive deliberations that will contribute towards an effective, professional and ethical public sector through innovation.
The Developers’ Convention (DevCon): The CPSI is also highly excited to announce the third Developers’ Convention 2026. Fondly referred to as DevCon, the Convention will take place on the margins of the main conference.
Attend Conference Attend DevCon
20thPublic Sector
Innovation
Conference

Kindly note that registration for the conference and DevCon is free of charge. In addition, early registration for both events is highly recommended due to limited space.

NB: Delegates are responsible for own travel and accommodation


For content-related information, please contact Mr Welcome Sekwati at Welcome.Sekwati@cpsi.co.za or Work Number: 012 683-2833

For Partnerships and sponsorship, please contact Ms Mpumi Ntshangase at Mpumi.Ntshangase@cpsi.co.za

For logistics, please contact:

Ms Mmabatho Mashaba at Mmabatho.Mashaba@cpsi.co.za or Ms Khaliphile Zwane at Khaliphile.Zwane@cpsi.co.za.

📜 Key Event Information


THE DATES

Thursday 20 August to Friday 21 August 2026.
NB: Attendance selection and confirmation will apply for the DevCon.

EVENT TIMES

The conference will start at 09:00 and ends at 17:00 on Day 1 and, on Day 2, starts at 09:00 and ends at 13:00.

THE VENUE

Forever Resort, Warmbaths in Bela-Bela, Limpopo Province

GUEST TYPES

Enablers; Policy Makers; Decision Makers; Public Servants; System Developers;

RATIONALE
The 2026 Conference

The CPSI shares in the serious concern about the many profound challenges that public officials face in their work and the enormous struggle they endure to successfully meet citizens’ needs regardless. Similarly, the Centre strongly reaffirms the enormous proven potential in innovation to transform and modernise government processes and systems, for enhanced effortless performance on one hand and subsequent citizens convenience on the other.

Innovation is a true game changer and catalyst in achieving the three key priorities of the 2024-2029 Medium-Term Development Plan, namely:

  • Drive inclusive growth and job creation;
  • Reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living, and
  • Building a capable, developmental and ethical state

Against this backdrop, the 2026 Public Sector Innovation Conference aims to achieve the following:

  • assert the transformative and catalytic value of innovation in achieving social development;
  • encourage cross-sectorial interrogation of systemic challenges which prevent the existence of an ideal innovation environment in the public sector;
  • provide a suitable platform for cross-sectorial knowledge sharing and collaborative learning;
  • showcase award-winning projects as well as ground-breaking technologies and solutions which have improved service delivery through innovation.
THE THEME

INNOVATION - A GAME CHANGE. highlighting the fundamental, indispensable role of innovation in transforming government and building public sector capacity for improved citizen-focused performance and productivity.

The theme further affirms the role of innovation as a game changer and a compelling transformative imperative in achieving inclusive socio-economic growth and sustainable development in line with Vision 2030 of the NDP.

ATTEND CONFERENCE
SUB-THEMES

The conference will unpack public sector innovation through the following sub-themes:

  • Citizen-focused innovation: will focus on the promotion of non-ICT innovative solutions that improve equitable citizen access to various basic, vital services, such as health, education, agriculture and housing, which are critical in ensuring human dignity
  • Innovation harnessing technology to improve services: will explore and highlight scalable, interoperable, and secure systems (Digital Public Infrastructure DPI’S) that government can deploy to ensure integrated service delivery across departments and spheres of government. It will also highlight new and emerging modalities such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IOT) and Quantum computing, the unique governance and regulatory risks they pose as well as interventions required to ensure equitable access and cybersecurity
  • Innovation for Impact: will showcase award-winning public sector innovations demonstrating scalability, sustainability, and measurable improvements in service delivery.

Partners & Sponsors of the Conference

Collaborative efforts to shape Public Sector Innovation

There is something for you

Why Attend The Conference

The Public Sector Innovation Conference is produced to be relevant, reactive and foresighting on shifts within the sector.

1

Connecting

As a delegate, you get an opportunity to connect with change makers across the sphere.

2

Learn New Ways

A great opportunity to acquire new insights, explore new ways towards transformation.

3

Engagements

Delegates and speakers are from various spheres and the conference is most enabling.

4

Co-Create

Get to place thoughts to help shape the public sector and break off the silos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Here are some of the answers about the conference.

Is travel and acccommodation covered for?

Delegates are responsible for own travel and accommodation arrangements.

What do I need for access at the conference?

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with event pass document.

Can I forward the link to my colleagues?

Yes, should you think they will be most relevant for the conference.

How do we reach out for exhibition / partnership?

Email mmabatho.mashaba@cpsi.co.za and she will assist on your needs.

Will presentations and documents be shared afterwards?

Yes, all material will be available through the conference app and CPSI website after the conference.

Will there be food served?

Yes, food and hot beverages will be served throughout the conference days. No alcohol.

CHOOSE REGISTRATION (CLIK OPTION)

For Public Servants

The Conference

Thought leadership and innovation insights sharing by those who have walked the path towards transformation.
For System Developers / Analysts

PSI DevCon 2026

A gathering of system developers and analysts to connect and share learned methods in developing citizen-centric innovations. Limited to 100 guests.