The Township Economic Commission of South Africa (TECSA) recently participated in the Global SME Ministerial Meeting and the StartUp20 (SU20) Mid-Term Engagement, events focused on accelerating SME growth and fostering inclusive global trade.
The Global SME Ministerial Meeting convened over 700 delegates, including ministers and senior representatives from 62 countries, to discuss “Navigating New Business Frontiers: A Roadmap for Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs)”. Key discussion areas included accelerating SME growth, digital transformation, access to finance, and green competitiveness. TECSA expressed gratitude to the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), led by Minister Stella Ndabeni, for their invitation and emphasized Minister Ndabeni’s focus on tangible opportunities for SMEs. TECSA also acknowledged the International Trade Centre (ITC) and its Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, for their global strategy to empower SMEs in international trade. TECSA recognizes that inclusive global trade is crucial for addressing poverty, inequality, and unemployment in South Africa.
The Ministerial Meeting’s themes directly align with TECSA’s mandate to Transform, Develop, Grow, and Protect (TDGP) the township and rural economy. These themes include:
- Digital Transformation: Enabling SMEs to embrace the digital economy and compete globally.
- Access to Finance: Designing innovative financial models to unlock SME growth.
- Green Economy: Supporting SMEs in transitioning to sustainable business practices.
The SU20 Mid-Term Engagement Meeting preceded the Ministerial gathering, with SU20 Chair Mr. Jarana emphasizing the importance of including beneficiaries in deliberations to ensure the voices of startups and grassroots entrepreneurs are central to decision-making. TECSA, led by President Mr. Bheki Twala, and its implementing agency TEC-G20 along with strategic partner Mashudu Tinyiko Consulting, continues to scale township innovation ecosystems and advocates for startups to become creators of solutions within the global G20 value chain.
The Ministerial Roundtable concluded with a unified “Call to Action” focusing on:
- Expanding access to finance for SMEs through public-private co-investment platforms.
- Accelerating digital transformation for SMEs to enable global competitiveness.
- Scaling up the green transition to ensure SMEs are part of the global sustainability agenda.
His Excellency Hon. Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of South Africa, delivered the closing remarks, thanking delegates and highlighting the significance of South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025, calling for a unified roadmap towards the G20 Summit in November 2025.
TECSA remains dedicated to empowering grassroots SMEs and fostering an inclusive global trade environment where township and rural enterprises can thrive. The organization aims to position township SMEs as the digitally connected, financially empowered, and globally competitive backbone of South Africa’s economy.
The Township Economic Commission within the G20 Business Council (TEC-G20), led by CEO Ms. Qhamisa Tengile, serves as TECSA’s implementation arm, ensuring the impact of South Africa’s G20 Presidency reaches all townships and rural areas. Through G20 legacy partnerships and transformative projects, TEC-G20 aims to translate the G20 vision into tangible change, making township and rural economies active contributors to the global economic value chain.
Mashudu Tinyiko Consulting (MTC), led by CEO Ms. Nonhlanhla Nkadimeng, is a strategic partner to TECSA, providing project advisory, fund management, and financial governance expertise. MTC specializes in building resilient financial frameworks, mobilizing resources, and ensuring compliance with funding standards, serving as the backbone of TECSA’s accountability and sustainability agenda.
TECSA reaffirms its commitment to building globally competitive SMEs that will drive inclusive trade and position South Africa as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and prosperity on the world stage.
