Ireland Appoints Five New Talent & Innovation Attachés — South Africa Confirmed as a Host Location

The Government of Ireland has appointed five Talent and Innovation Attachés to strengthen Ireland’s international research and innovation partnerships, with South Africa named among the five host countries — a strategic placement that will deepen links between Irish and South African universities, research institutes and industry partners.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, announced the appointment of five new Talent and Innovation attachés, located in key diplomatic missions in Europe, Africa and Asia.

In welcoming the further development of Ireland’s Talent and Innovation Attaché network, Minister Lawless noted:

"We are significantly strengthening Ireland’s global presence by placing dedicated Talent and Innovation attachés in key partner countries including the UK, France, Germany, Singapore and South Africa. These are strategically important locations for research collaboration, talent development and innovation."

He added that through the Global Citizens 2030 strategy, "we are equipping Irish learners, researchers and innovators to engage internationally in an inclusive and ambitious way."

Global Citizens 2030 sets out Ireland’s strategic vision for talent and innovation to be at the heart of Ireland’s global footprint. The expanded attaché network will co-ordinate and prioritise Ireland’s global talent and innovation activities, with each location acting as a resource for Irish institutions, promoting Ireland as a partner in research and innovation and a leading location for further and higher education, and engaging widely across the areas to which they are assigned.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, said "the government is committed to strengthening Ireland’s place in the world and to ensure that our Embassies and Consulates continue to play a key role in Ireland’s economic relationships in priority markets, working in close cooperation with the State agencies," adding that "Minister Lawless and I have a shared ambition for Ireland to maximise the value of our international engagement on science diplomacy."

The appointment of the five Talent and Innovation Attachés, in addition to the two positions already operating in the US, is a significant investment which will support the ambitions of the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification.

South Africa has a strong higher education sector, growing innovation ecosystem and status as a regional research leader, offering significant potential for mutually beneficial collaboration with Irish partners.

Ambassador Austin Gormley said locating an attaché in Pretoria will support the development of joint research proposals, researcher exchanges, co-funded projects and enhanced institutional links across southern Africa.

"We welcome the decision to appoint a Talent and Innovation Attaché to this region, based in Pretoria. This strategic placement recognises South Africa’s leadership in research and development on the African continent and will markedly enhance opportunities for joint projects, researcher exchanges, and innovation-driven partnerships between Irish and South African institutions.”

In October 2025, following a highly successful visit to Ireland as part of delegation led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa's Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela said his visit to Ireland was as an "important step in aligning the education and innovation ecosystems of South Africa and Ireland toward shared global development goals."

Minister Lawless said of the visit: "I hope we can strengthen the research and education connections between our two countries which already has such a close and rich history of friendship."