The Department of Small Business Development, under the leadership of Minister Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, officially launched the Eastern Cape chapter of the G20 Provincial Roadshow on 29 April 2025 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Yacht Club. The event is part of South Africa’s broader engagement as the 2025 G20 Presidency holder, aiming to elevate the profile of local economies within global economic discourse.
Themed “The Oceans Economy: South Africa’s Next Gold Mine”, the launch emphasized the vast potential of the Eastern Cape’s maritime economy. Speaking at the event, Minister Ndabeni stated, “It is all hands on deck for small businesses to participate in the ocean economy,” underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive economic participation and sustainable development.
The two-day activation included a series of high-impact engagements across Gqeberha:
- Ocean Economy Dialogue at the Yacht Club: A strategic session on unlocking the economic value of marine resources, infrastructure, and innovation in the maritime sector. The dialogue provided a platform for SMMEs, industry experts, and policymakers to collaborate on sustainable growth strategies.
- Launch of a Marine Sector Incubator at Nelson Mandela University: In collaboration with academia, the incubator aims to empower emerging enterprises and startups involved in the blue economy. Details of this initiative are available via Gov.za’s event brief.
- Township and Rural Economy Engagement at Nangoza Jebe Hall: This session focused on localising economic opportunities and integrating township entrepreneurs and rural businesses into value chains tied to the ocean economy. It aligns with the government’s township revitalisation strategies and broader SME development agenda.
This Eastern Cape G20 provincial launch marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s G20 Presidency, operating under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” — a vision that positions Africa at the center of future-ready economic frameworks.
The launch not only highlighted the Eastern Cape’s strategic location and oceanic assets but also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to use platforms like the G20 to scale up small business development, stimulate job creation, and build resilient local economies.