Africa’s role in global innovation: Insights from Startup20

The 22 SU20 recommendations are far from abstract; they are pragmatic, evidence-based and rooted in the lived experiences of entrepreneurs across the globe. Under South Africa’s leadership, the engagement group took on a distinctly African identity, rooted locally yet globally ambitious, perfectly captured by the Minister of Small Business Development at the handover who declared, “Africa is not the future of innovation; Africa is innovation”. The Foundation and Alliances recommendations propose mechanisms such as the Global Ecosystem Exchange (GEX) and the Global Entrepreneurial Learning Alliance (GELA), designed to link African startups and MSMEs into global networks of learning, trade and investment. They provide the institutional backbone for transnational collaboration, ensuring African innovation systems are connected and visible in the global economy.

4 Nov

22 ON SLOANE LAUNCHES JAPAN–SA ACCELERATING AGRITECH AND AQUATECH PROGRAMME

05 November, Johannesburg: 22 On Sloane, in partnership with UNDP through the support of the Japan Government, is proud to announce the Accelerating AgriTech and AI SMEs through the Japan–South Africa Partnership Programme. The programme targets 50 local SMEs, with 50% women-led participation, and aims to support 100 smallholder farmers with technology adoption and productivity improvements. Participants will benefit from training, mentorship, international exchange (particularly with Japan), and market linkages.

3 Nov

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.

11 Aug

22 On Sloane Takes on Secretariat Role for Startup20 During South Africa’s G20 Presidency

Our role as Secretariat is more than a title, it is a call to action. As we continue supporting the Startup20 process leading up to the G20 Presidential Summit in November, we remain committed to ensuring that entrepreneurs across Africa are not left on the sidelines of global economic dialogue. They are the innovators, the problem solvers, the job creators, and their voices matter.

4 Jul

22 On Sloane Launches Version 2 of the Township Digital Market Access Programme in Partnership with the UK-South Africa Tech Hub

Following the success of the initial rollout, 22 On Sloane is proud to announce the launch of Version 2 of the Township Digital Market Access Programme, in partnership with the UK-South Africa Tech Hub. This next phase builds on the foundation of the first iteration, with a renewed focus on equipping township-based businesses with the tools and platforms needed to thrive in South Africa’s growing digital economy. The programme will onboard 150 township-based SMMEs from underserved regions in Gauteng and will introduce them to leading e-commerce and last-mile delivery platforms, while offering tailored training and digital support.

5 Mar

Press Release | The Assupol Digital Skills Programme in partnership with 22 On Sloane places 15 learners in the workplace

Assupol, in partnership with 22 On Sloane, is pleased to announce that the Digital Skills Training Programme has successfully commenced its experiential learning component. As part of this phase, 15 learners will be placed in workplace environments for three months to gain hands-on experience, further enhancing their training and development.

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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.