By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa has named Vuyani Jarana as chairperson of the Startup20 Engagement Group for its Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency.
Jarana, with over 25 years in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, will steer the Startup20 initiative, which advocates for startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises within the G20 framework.
Currently he is the Founder and CEO of Ilitha Telecommunications, a company dedicated to delivering superfast, affordable broadband to underserved peri-urban and rural communities.
He also serves as Chairperson of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a key institution driving South Africa’s scientific, industrial, and technological innovation agenda.
His role includes shaping policy recommendations for the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, appointing task force chairs, and coordinating high-level events.
In a statement on Monday, Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, “We are delighted to welcome Jarana as the chairperson of the Startup20 Engagement Group.”
“His extensive experience and expertise will be invaluable in driving our efforts to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.”
The Minister also appointed 22 On Sloane as the Secretariat of the Startup20 Engagement Group for South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
Twenty-two (22) On Sloane is Africa’s largest startup campus, playing a pivotal role in advancing the startup and MSME ecosystem across the continent.
“Twenty-two (22) On Sloane serves as headquarters for the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Africa, which is represented in 43 African countries, and as the country headquarters of GEN Global which has a presence in 180 countries globally aimed at supporting entrepreneurs to start and scale,” the minister said.
As Secretariat, 22 On Sloane will support Jarana to coordinate and manage all Startup20 activities in South Africa, including stakeholder engagements, task force operations, international collaboration efforts, policy drafting, and logistical delivery of the Startup20 agenda.
The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries, which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency commenced on 1 December 2024 and will run until 30 November 2025. It is taking place under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”