South Africa's Business 20 digital transformation committee has established a 1.7 billion rand investment vehicle to finance technology startups addressing the continent's connectivity gaps. The initiative blends concessional funding from development banks and philanthropic sources with private capital to reduce risk for early ventures.
Priority areas span connectivity infrastructure, digital education platforms, health technology solutions, fintech services for populations without banking access, and agricultural technology innovations. Backed entrepreneurs will gain entry to regulatory networks and distribution channels through Business 20 and Group of 20 partnerships.
Applications remain closed while organizers finalize governance frameworks and secure anchor investor commitments. Naspers South Africa chief Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa chairs the task force behind the fund, which targets populations among 2.6 billion people globally excluded from digital economies.
Priority areas span connectivity infrastructure, digital education platforms, health technology solutions, fintech services for populations without banking access, and agricultural technology innovations. Backed entrepreneurs will gain entry to regulatory networks and distribution channels through Business 20 and Group of 20 partnerships.
Applications remain closed while organizers finalize governance frameworks and secure anchor investor commitments. Naspers South Africa chief Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa chairs the task force behind the fund, which targets populations among 2.6 billion people globally excluded from digital economies.
