Concerns are growing about the widening gap between public and private educational institutions. This issue was discussed at the Startup20 Summit, which provides a platform for small businesses to engage with G20 leaders.

On the second and final day of the StartUp20 Midterm Engagement, the focus was on how African start-ups can transition from receiving aid to receiving investments.

Entrepreneurs gathered in Johannesburg for this event, which aims to strengthen the global start-up ecosystem and promote policy collaboration.

South Africa hopes that the Engagement Group will enable the country to leverage global policy lessons and best practices.

The engagement provided an opportunity to hear from the entrepreneurs themselves about the environment in which they operate.

A common theme was the lack of funding they encountered, which hinders growth. They discussed the need for creative business venture funding methods at a time when governments are unable to commit significant capital.

Inaugural Global SME Ministerial meeting

Silulo Foundation’s Luvuyo Rani explains, “The work I’m doing now on the sub 20, which is the social innovators, is to stimulate, to say there’s a need for social entrepreneurs and there’s a need for universities, schools, and high schools to be stimulated. Also, the a need for practical content so they can learn in a practical way and they can see what they are capable of doing. We don’t have to invent anything. We’ve got some stories, and those stories can be emulated in the classroom.”

Meanwhile, the Township Economic Commission of South Africa, President Bheki Twala says having such engagement offers opportunities for growth and job creation,

“We’re here representing formalised businesses in the township and in rural areas, which launched last Friday as part of the G20. We also have what you call the G20 Corporate Village, where we’re saying let’s come up with sideline events for people to benefit from the G20. It can be in meetings, seminars, workshops and all that. We need to create those sideline events so people can create opportunities to create jobs for themselves.”

The Startup20 Engagement Group Chairperson, Vuyani Jarana, says the group will compile policy recommendations after the summit. These recommendations will then be shared with the G20 leaders at their upcoming summit in November.

“It’s important for the continent that we engage in this because South Africa is the first country on the continent to carry the presidency and assemblies, and the economies on the continent are largely semi-driven. We need to put together the right policy recommendations.”

The Startup 20 Group, a key body under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, is pushing for greater recognition and support for startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises.

International Trade Centre launches inaugural Global SME Ministerial meeting

Ms Salome Baloi, Acting COO and Lead Coordinator for G20 Engagement Groups, delivered remarks at Startup20 on SA’s G20 Presidency and harnessing startups for inclusive, sustainable growth.

Startup20 unites G20 and global stakeholders to support startups & MSMEs.

For more info… pic.twitter.com/s22ND33vzv

— G20 South Africa (@g20org) July 22, 2025