SOUTH AFRICA - Weaving innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems training

Building stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems across South Africa

Across South Africa, a vibrant network of problem solvers is growing - one that’s transforming how local businesses and entrepreneurs are supported. At the heart of this movement are the Ecosystem Weavers: network facilitators and representatives of enterprise support organizations who are committed to driving collaborative, meaningful change in their communities.

A gathering of changemakers

The IYBA-SEED South Africa has launched the Weaving Innovative Entrepreneurial Ecosystems training, an intensive training experience designed to enhance the support provided to local businesses and entrepreneurs, in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. 

The objective? Empower 56 business support organisations and network facilitators, known as Ecosystem Weavers, to confront the challenges and opportunities that undermine innovation in their ecosystems and to collaboratively create better services and opportunities for enterprises. 

This initiative embraces a long-term, holistic approach: to build inclusive, dynamic ecosystems that empower women, young people, and entrepreneurs to thrive. Through workshops, mentoring, and practical tools, the training equips participants to address real-world challenges with sustainable, locally driven solutions.

A training designed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge

Hosted by GIZ South Africa and led by expert facilitator Dr. Shawn Cunningham from Mesopartner, the training is a balance between practical applications and reflective learning. Participants are mentored through the process of using facilitation methods and diagnostic tools in real-life contexts. They also join peer-learning groups that foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and deeper connections within the innovation ecosystem.

“ Many of these tools can be applied both at a macro level and, for me, at a micro level, within an organization like ours. We support a complexity of different mini-ecosystems, and this training helped me think differently about how to bring them together more effectively.”

A long-term dynamic

The Ecosystem Weavers are real change-makers. With every connection they foster and every solution they co-create, they are helping to build stronger, more inclusive environments for entrepreneurship in South Africa and beyond.

"The training doesn’t end here. Attendees will have opportunities to participate in further capacity-building and networking events across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, leading to the selection of ecosystems to be supported by IYBA-SEED South Africa.”