In respect of economic growth, the HSRC noted the importance of a knowledge economy. A knowledge economy contributes to the growth of an economy. South Africa scores are low in respect of the knowledge economy index and the number of full time equivalent researchers per 1 000 people compared to its counterparts. Furthermore, there has been slow uptake of the Research and Development (R&D) tax incentive by the private sector and to what extent has the requisite institutional reforms and actions to support the incentive regime been implemented by government. Hence, the HSRC calls for the government to continue to prioritise R&D and monitor and evaluate programmes that has to deliver on R & D outcomes.