Solly Malatsi, minister of communications and digital technologies.

South Africa has called for the establishment of an innovation fund or facility to support digital entrepreneurship in underserved regions.

Today, Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s minister of communications and digital technologies, made the plea as he welcomed the G20 Digital Economy Working Group and the Task Force on AI, Data Governance, and Innovation in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

This comes as South Africa has become the first African nation to hold the G20 Presidency.

The G20 Johannesburg Summit will be held from 22 to 23 November 2025.

“We embrace this responsibility on behalf of our country, our continent and the broader Global South,” says Malatsi.

He continues: “We aim to leverage our G20 Presidency, more so to ensure the digital revolution delivers tangible progress for everyone, in every corner of the world.

“The digital economy is no longer just a sector – it is the backbone of modern society, a catalyst for development, and a key driver of economic and social transformation.

“Yet we must also recognize that this transformation comes with profound technological and societal challenges.

“Our task today is to ensure that digital inclusion leads to equitable and just outcomes for all humanity, promoting equal opportunities and access. We are here to open these meetings with a shared resolve to shape a digital future where no one is left behind.”

To this end, the minister appealed for “an innovation fund or facility to support digital entrepreneurship in underserved region.”

He adds: “To create a truly global digital economy, we must ensure that innovation transcends borders, allowing brilliant ideas from Africa, Asia, or Latin America to access the resources and support needed for growth.”

Malatsi went on to say: “We propose that G20 members share strategies on supporting start-ups and micro small medium enterprises – from startup financing initiatives to innovation hubs and tech parks, from simplifying regulatory burdens to providing mentorship networks.”

The minister urged participants to commit to growing the digital innovation ecosystem in all countries, fostering a conducive environment for technological advancement.

He elaborates: “We are here to open these meetings with a shared resolve to shape a digital future where no one is left behind.

“As the first African country to lead the G20, we carry the voices of developing nations that have for too long been on the periphery of technological revolutions.

“We are determined to place the Global South at the forefront of shaping a just digital future, prioritising the needs and contributions of developing regions.

“Our priorities resonate strongly with those championed by previous G20 presidencies of fellow developing nations – Indonesia, India, and Brazil.”

In the case of South Africa, Malatsi says the country’s vision is to consolidate and advance the country’s digital agenda, moving from consensus to collective action.

The minister notes that South Africa will do so by focusing on four key pillars; bridging the digital divide with meaningful connectivity; building inclusive digital public infrastructure; nurturing innovation ecosystems for local development; and championing ethical AI that respects our diverse languages, cultures, and values.

“These themes are deeply interconnected, forming the foundation of a people-centred digital future,” says Malatsi.