Media Release | Startup20 South Africa Hands Over Final Recommendations To The G20 Presidency

The handover, hosted at 22 On Sloane, Africa’s largest startup campus, concluded a seven-month policy journey aimed at advancing the global startup and innovation agenda. As the first African nation and only the third globally to lead the Startup20, South Africa has driven a process that placed African entrepreneurs at the centre of global policy discussions. The recommendations were developed through five taskforces: Foundation and Alliances, Finance and Investment, Inclusion and Sustainability, Trade and Market Access, and Township and Rural Entrepreneurship. Each taskforce proposed actionable measures to address real-world challenges faced by startups, including access to early-stage capital, inclusion of women and youth, sustainability, and integration into global markets.

29 Oct

Reflections from the Startup20 South Africa Experience

The journey of Startup20 South Africa has been defined not only by policy but by people. The entrepreneurs who participated have proven that innovation in South Africa and as a continent is not peripheral, it is central to solving global challenges. As South Africa hands over its recommendations to the G20 Presidency, the work continues to ensure that the policies shaped under its leadership translate into long-term impact for startups across the continent and beyond. The next chapter belongs to governments, investors, and founders to carry this vision forward. For South Africa, this is not the end of a term, it is the beginning of a new era of global entrepreneurship...

16 Oct

Venda’s Decentralised Fuel Market Signals a New Era for South African Entrepreneurship

The fuel industry has long been one of the most centralised and capital-intensive in South Africa. Entry barriers from licensing and compliance to supply chain infrastructure have traditionally made it inaccessible to small or emerging players. Yet, in Venda, the landscape is shifting. Local entrepreneurs have found ways to participate, operating independent stations that challenge long-standing monopolies and redefine what ownership looks like in the energy space. This decentralisation is more than a regional curiosity; it’s an indicator of what economic inclusion looks like in real time. When markets open and ownership diversifies, value begins to circulate within communities...

30 Sep

Rise Anyway: The Fierce Resilience of South Africa’s Small-Business Heroes

...Listen to these business owners and you’ll hear an unshakable refrain: there is always a way forward. Instead of waiting for a perfect climate, they refine their craft, chase new customers, and invest in their teams. They take courses, explore digital tools, and experiment with new ideas. For them, standing still is simply not an option. Technology has become a quiet partner in their success. A baker might manage orders on a smartphone between batches of bread. A logistics startup plots efficient routes with inexpensive software to save both time and fuel. Small innovations like these trim costs and free energy for growth, proving that resilience often hides in practical details...

25 Sep

Reimagining Heritage Institutions for a New Era

This Heritage Month is commemorated under the theme “Reimagine our heritage institutions for a new era.” Heritage is not only what we inherit but also what we build for future generations. By empowering entrepreneurs and rethinking how we preserve and grow our collective legacy, we are shaping a new era of heritage that is inclusive, innovative, and global in outlook...

18 Sep

Should Africa take a page out of Trump’s playbook?

The continent is richly endowed with many potentials and resources, with 500 million of its youth aged 18-35 being the youngest globally. The continent’s youth population is projected to grow by over 1billion people by 2050, making it nearly half of the world’s youth. This demographic trajectory has profound implications. It offers Africa a potential demographic dividend, where a large working-age population can drive growth, innovation, and industrialisation if adequately educated and employed. At the same time, it places immense pressure on education systems, job creation, and infrastructure, with risks of unemployment, social unrest, or exclusion if opportunities are not expanded...

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About Us

22 On Sloane is the largest startup campus in Africa. The campus offers disruptive startups and innovative SMEs a complete turnkey solution to scale, from the initial idea all the way to commercialisation, funding opportunities and access to markets. Its aim is to nurture the entrepreneurial mindset, ensure their sustainability, and explore development of new industries and contribute towards job creation in Africa.