The National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) is a flagship initiative by the Malaysian government under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). Established in 2020, NTIS provides innovators with a controlled environment to test, validate, and commercialize disruptive technologies without regulatory constraints. It aims to accelerate the development of homegrown solutions, fostering a robust innovation ecosystem and enhancing Malaysia’s global competitiveness.

To date, NTIS has supported over 854 projects, delivering impactful outcomes across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and sustainability. Key milestones include the successful deployment of autonomous vehicles, AI-powered agricultural tools, and green energy solutions, all contributing to socioeconomic advancement.

The initiative has generated significant impact by bridging the gap between research and commercialization, driving job creation, and catalyzing industry growth. By empowering local innovators and startups, NTIS aligns with Malaysia’s aspiration to become a digitally driven, high-income nation, ensuring solutions not only meet local needs but also scale globally.

https://sandbox.gov.my/

• Malaysia
• Singapore

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• Remote and rural communities
• -

It is well-suited for:

Emerging Economies: Countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America can adopt the NTIS model to stimulate local innovation ecosystems, drive economic growth, and create solutions tailored to regional challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and renewable energy.

Urban Innovation Hubs: Developed cities aiming to implement smart city technologies—such as autonomous systems, IoT, or green infrastructure—can replicate NTIS in urban centers like Singapore, Dubai, or Seoul.

Rural and Agricultural Regions: NTIS is ideal for regions focusing on sustainable agriculture or rural innovation, such as Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, by adapting technologies like AI-powered farming tools or renewable energy solutions.

Global Tech Ecosystems: Innovation-driven economies like Germany, Japan, or South Korea can replicate NTIS for sector-specific sandboxes, addressing industries like semiconductors, AI, or healthcare technologies.

NTIS’s flexibility makes it applicable to any country striving to bridge the gap between research, commercialization, and real-world deployment, while aligning with global sustainability goals.

Its sustainability is anchored in three key areas:

Economic Sustainability: NTIS bridges the gap between research and commercialization, ensuring that innovative solutions become market-ready and economically viable. By enabling startups and SMEs to develop scalable products, NTIS contributes to job creation, boosts local industries, and attracts investment, fostering a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem.

Social Sustainability: The program prioritizes inclusivity by supporting solutions that address societal challenges, such as improving healthcare access, enabling precision agriculture, and bridging the digital divide. By empowering local innovators and fostering talent development, NTIS builds resilient communities that benefit from technological advancements.

Environmental Sustainability: NTIS encourages green technologies and eco-friendly solutions, such as renewable energy systems, waste-to-resource innovations, and energy-efficient manufacturing. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NTIS supports environmentally conscious growth.

Through strategic partnerships, continuous innovation, and measurable impact, NTIS ensures that its contributions to Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem are not only impactful today but remain relevant and sustainable in the future.

Fostering an inclusive, innovation-driven ecosystem that leverages ICT to improve lives and drive sustainable development. Bridging the Digital Divide: NTIS supports projects that expand digital access, particularly in underserved communities. Initiatives like smart farming tools and rural telemedicine align with the WSIS vision of connecting communities and promoting universal access to ICT. Innovation for Development: NTIS encourages the use of emerging technologies, such as AI, IoT, and green tech, to address pressing societal challenges, including urban mobility, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture, thereby contributing to WSIS Action Lines like "ICT Applications for E-Environment" and "E-Agriculture." Building an Inclusive Information Society: By supporting startups, SMEs, and researchers, NTIS ensures broad participation in Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem. This fosters capacity building, enhances digital literacy, and empowers local talent, embodying WSIS values of inclusivity and shared prosperity. Global Collaboration: NTIS’s alignment with international standards, such as the SDGs, ensures that its innovations contribute to global sustainability while fostering partnerships that strengthen the local community's integration into the global innovation landscape. Through these efforts, NTIS directly enhances the well-being of Malaysian communities while championing WSIS’s mission to create an equitable, knowledge-based society.