South Africa Leads Global Week of Action to Empower MSMEs and Startups

In a week hailed as “historic” by Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni, South Africa has taken centre stage in a sweeping initiative to elevate entrepreneurship and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) globally. Addressing the Startup20 Midterm Engagement Group Meeting in Gauteng on Monday, Ndabeni outlined an ambitious schedule of international collaboration, policy development, and action-oriented dialogue aimed at reshaping the MSME landscape across both developed and developing economies.

A Catalyst Week for Entrepreneurship

The Startup20 Midterm Meeting marked the opening salvo in a series of high-level engagements involving governments, international agencies, and business stakeholders. This convergence signals South Africa’s strategic use of its G20 presidency to foreground MSME issues—particularly in underserved regions of the Global South.

“This is a historic week for entrepreneurs and MSMEs,” said Minister Ndabeni. “It is not just about policy. It is about action. It’s about setting into motion mechanisms to ensure entrepreneurs are no longer on the margins of global trade, finance, and digital transformation—but at the heart of it.”

Aligning Global Trade Systems with MSME Growth

In parallel to the Startup20 meeting, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, is hosting the Global Trade Promotion Organisations meeting. This gathering is laser-focused on how the evolving global trade system can be reimagined to support MSMEs in building resilience, pivoting into new markets, and navigating geopolitical shifts.

According to the Minister, this effort is a response to systemic economic realignments post-pandemic and amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. "We are seeing a reconfiguration of global trade. Our task is to ensure MSMEs are not left behind but rather lead the pivot into new growth zones."

Global SME Ministerial: A High-Stakes Convening

The crescendo of this landmark week will be the Global SME Ministerial Meeting, co-hosted with the International Trade Centre (ITC). Over 60 countries—including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, senior officials, and multilateral development organisations—will gather to discuss coordinated strategies for supporting startups and small businesses.

The ministerial discussions will revolve around four critical themes:

1. Bridging the Digital Divide Delegates will explore how to equip MSMEs and startups with affordable digital infrastructure, cutting-edge tools, and the skills necessary to thrive in a tech-driven global economy.

2. Unlocking Access to Capital The meeting will tackle the financing gap facing women- and youth-led businesses. Proposed solutions include building inclusive financial ecosystems that derisk lending, support alternative finance models, and promote gender-smart investing.

3. Empowering MSMEs in the Green Economy There will be a strong push to embed sustainability into MSME operations through support for green innovation, access to climate finance, and integration into circular economy value chains.

4. Fostering Inclusive Trade Policies Ensuring MSMEs can participate meaningfully in international trade through regulatory reforms, trade facilitation, and the opening of procurement and export markets is a core goal.

A Unified Call to Action

The culmination of the ministerial meeting will be the release of a Global Call to Action, endorsed by the participating 60+ countries. This document will contain concrete policy commitments and reform roadmaps designed to be championed in international platforms, including the United Nations system, as well as regional forums like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Driving G20 Systemic Reform

Minister Ndabeni also expressed South Africa’s intent to institutionalise a dedicated G20 Working Group on MSMEs and Startups, building upon earlier efforts initiated under Brazil’s presidency.

“South Africa’s presidency provides an opportune moment to give MSMEs and startups a permanent voice in G20 decision-making. The discussions this week will help us define the terms of reference and chart a clear agenda for such a working group,” she explained.

Inclusive Dialogue and Grassroots Voices

Importantly, the minister confirmed that participants from the Startup20 Midterm Engagement would have an opportunity to contribute directly to the ministerial deliberations. This reflects a growing recognition of the need for bottom-up policy innovation, where ecosystem builders, entrepreneurs, and grassroots enablers are engaged as co-creators of global MSME policy.

“Some of you… will be given space to share your thinking with the delegates at the ministerial meeting,” Ndabeni said. “Together, we will build a more equal and sustainable future led by MSMEs and startups.”

A Transformative Moment

This packed week of engagements positions South Africa not only as a G20 convener but also as a global policy architect for inclusive entrepreneurship. By aligning trade, finance, sustainability, and digitalisation around MSMEs, South Africa is helping to shape a future where small businesses are no longer peripheral players but key drivers of sustainable, equitable economic growth.

As the world watches, the outcomes of these meetings are expected to reverberate through the corridors of international development, economic diplomacy, and private sector collaboration—laying the groundwork for a new global MSME pact in the years ahead.