Young Entrepreneurs South Africa (YESA) will host the first G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit (G20 YEA) 2025 in South Africa. The Summit will bring together over 600 delegates from all G20 countries to the Sandton Convention Centre, from 18-22 September 2025. This year’s Summit celebrates 15 years of fostering global entrepreneurial collaboration across the G20 states.
The Summit is supported by the South African government as part of the broader G20 program that marks South Africa’s G20 2025 presidency. It is also endorsed by the DTIC, Brand SA, IDC and fuelled by top sponsors including Thungela Resources, Coca Cola SA, Avis, Huawei, Black Energy Professional Association (BEPA), Mahlako a Phala, Zoho, Tech1M, MSC Cruises SA, Bidvest, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and Pitch Battle.
The G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (G20 YEA) is a global alliance of over 500 000 entrepreneurs and was formed 15 years ago. The Alliance has made a huge impact on young entrepreneurs from the G20 member states as it aims to grow future G20 leaders, expand the role of entrepreneurs and promote fair global trade in key industries across the G20 states.
“SA is ready to welcome the world, against a backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics. The G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit 2025 is more than just an event — it’s a movement that must move the dial on Africa’s participation in G20 markets. Hosted in the heart of South Africa, this year’s summit will unite the brightest young minds, innovators, changemakers, and global leaders from the G20 nations,” remarked Marcelo Gomes, G20 YEA Brazil Sherpa & Chair of the G20 YEA Steering committee.
What you can expect from the G20 YEA 2025 Summit
The summit emphasises tangible outcomes, including the launch of accelerator programmes, policy recommendations, investment opportunities, and a youth economic charter. By focusing on actionable insights and collaboration, the G20 YEA is poised to redefine the role of youth in entrepreneurship.
Confirmed Headline Speakers at this Year’s Summit in September include;
- H.E. Wamkele Mene – Secretary-General, AfCFTA
- Innocentia Motau – G20 YESA President (Potlako Global Logistics)
- Mxolisi Mgojo – President, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)
- Daré Okoudjou – CEO, Onafriq (Africa’s largest payments network)
- Brett Lyndall Singh – Forbes 30 Under 30 CEO (Alpha & Omega Group)
- Dr. Vumile Msweli – Founder, Africa Career Summit
- Athi (Beta SigmaX) – Edtech pioneer incubated by Edinburgh Business School
- Chibby Dangana (The Data Factory Global) – AI solutions leader
- Jessica Gruskin (Refemme) – Advocate for women in diamonds & jewelry
Program Highlights:
- Day 1: AfCFTA roundtable on cross-border trade
- Day 2: Pitch competitions judged by investors
- Day 3: “Future of Work” keynote by Jennifer Ai
Why It Matters: Youth led businesses powering the future of global Trade
With the G20 driving 85% of global GDP, the Summit will spotlight how African businesses can scale into G20 markets. Policy reforms to support youth-led businesses. South Africa’s future inclusive economic growth relies on the country’s ability to develop small businesses and youth-led enterprises into sustainable globally competitive entities.
Given Africa’s young population in general, it becomes critical for SA to leverage its G20 presidency to shine a spotlight on how African entrepreneurs can participate on the global stage and how they can be supported to build sustainable African enterprises that can trade competitively with other G20 nations.
The Summit will bring together global and African businesses, corporates, government representatives and key African institutions who are serious about developing entrepreneurship in key industries in Africa. At the heart of it, the Summit will engage young African entrepreneurs who aspire to become global players through powerful speakers, presentations from Industry leaders, networking sessions, site visits, social functions and innovation lounges.
“This is where Africa’s next unicorns are born, we’re bridging the gap between ambition and global opportunity. We encourage entrepreneurs based in the rest of the African continent to join the G20 YEA African Union Chapter and gain exposure to global markets.” says the G20 YEA President and Spokesperson Innocentia Motau, who is a global logistic entrepreneur based in South Africa.
Join the Movement
African entrepreneurs who have aspirations to expand their business globally can join the Young Entrepreneurs South Africa (YESA). The membership will allow them to attend the G20 YEA Summit in September: Apply for membership: YESA.africa