SOUTH AFRICA - Empowering entrepreneurial ecosystems through innovative collaborations

Across South Africa, communities are weaving together networks of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity. Through our programme, Ecosystem Weavers, representatives from enterprise support organisations and business networks are working to strengthen the foundations that help small businesses grow. IYBA-SEED in South Africa is piloting a model that connects and supports innovators and change-makers, called "Weavers”.

The Weavers play a key role in connecting entrepreneurs to the resources, mentorship, and partnerships they need, placing women, youth, and early-stage entrepreneurs at the center of local economic development, working across South Africa with activities focusing on five provinces: Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.

"Meet the Weavers" Building strong, inclusive ecosystems

Each participating ecosystem focuses on strengthening local entrepreneurship through tailored approaches, from building digital skills and supporting women founders, to creating green and circular business models:

1.    The National Business Initiative (NBI) - Network Building for Innovation in the Biomass Ecosystem (NBI4BIOMASS)
The Alien Invasive Plants (AIPs) biomass economy network of ecosystem actors aiming to stimulate a diversity of economic value chains serviced by women-led SMEs that would be able to employ youth.

2.    WomHub - ESTEEM GREEN: Bridging the Funding Gap for Women in Clean Energy
Ecosystem of financiers, venture capitals and angel investors focused on supporting youth-women-led enterprises in STEM and green economy.

3.    The South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC) - PROJECT EMBRACE
The Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) Community of Practice supporting the economic mainstreaming of black women and youth through responsible market access and value chain transformation for an inclusive green economy.

4.    Real Consulting - uMhlathuze Catchment Business Support
Entrepreneurial and socio-ecological development ecosystem around the uMhlathuze water catchment.

5.    Propella Business Incubator (PBI) - Green & Clean Tech Ecosystem in Eastern Cape
A collaborative network of partners, entrepreneurs, funders, research institutions, and industry players focused on green tech, clean tech, climate tech, and advanced manufacturing innovations - with a strong emphasis on youth- and women-led enterprises in South Africa.

6.    The Institute of Natural Resources (INR) - uMkhomazi Catchment Business Support Entrepreneurial and socio-ecological development ecosystem around the uMkhomazi water catchment.

7.    People Nature Connect (PNC) - Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park Ecosystem
The small-business ecosystem in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal, near the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP). 

8.    The Pietermaritzburg &Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) - North-South Corridor Trade Hub Initiative
The Trade Hub initiative seeks to contribute to further strengthening the local entrepreneurship ecosystem in KwaZulu-Natal as a first and necessary step to build an interconnected, inclusive, and resilient trade corridor, where entrepreneurs across the region can access markets, resources, and business development support in a structured and scalable manner.

9.    Save Act - Savings-led Action for Financial empowerment and Ecosystem building (SAFE)
A network of ecosystem actors around savings groups and alternative finance for (micro-) entrepreneurship and agro-ecology with a strong focus on women and youth in South Africa.

“When we work together, we create real opportunities for women and youth, not just jobs, but a sense of belonging and pride in building something that matters,” 
said Senamile Ngcobo, WomHub.

“Our role as Weavers is to connect the dots, to link entrepreneurs with investors, training providers, and government partners who can help them grow,” 
added Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB).

Adding an environmental perspective, Bronwyn James of People Nature Connect (PNC) highlighted the importance of aligning economic growth with sustainability:

“We must integrate conservation and rural livelihoods into inclusive economic development. This is how we ensure that people and nature thrive together.”

Creating pathways for growth

Through IYBA-SEED South Africa, South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystems are becoming more connected and resilient. By sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and improving access to business development services, the initiative supports early-stage businesses led by women and youth to thrive.

“This initiative is innovative in that it centers on learning, capacity building, and true ecosystem weaving”...“We’re already seeing South African Weavers bringing this vision to life, building the partnerships that will shape tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.” 
said Cvijeta Jekic, Programme Manager of the IYBA-SEED Project Management Unit.

Gavin Watson, Head of the GIZ Centre for Cooperation with the Private Sector (CCPS), highlighted the importance of collaboration: 

“This programme is about more than funding, it’s about trust, collaboration, and recognising the potential within communities. The energy we’ve seen from the Weavers confirms we’re on the right path to building ecosystems that create real, sustainable change.”

Meet the weavers and partners
 

Propella Business Incubator
PNC People Nature Connect
PMCB Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business
WomHub 
SASDC South African Supplier Diversity Council 
INR Institute of Natural Resources
NBI National Business Initiative
Save Act 
Real Consulting 
Mesopartner 
Big Mama's Famous Truth Shop