The Global Young Entrepreneurs Alliance delivered groundbreaking, future-focused resolutions to the G20 Presidency after three days of deliberations on moving entrepreneurship forward. The world’s young entrepreneurs appreciate the urgency of this moment and the need for coordinated global measures.
The G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA), a collective of global entrepreneurship organisations, convened in Sandton 16-20 September 2025, hosted by Young Entrepreneurs South Africa (YESA) to collate their ideas to move global entrepreneurship forward. The Summit called upon the G20 leaders, who are set to meet in South Africa in November 2025, to commit to 5 key resolutions which include:
“As the global alliance of entrepreneurs, we arrived at these landmark resolutions by engaging young entrepreneurs globally in the past few months leading up to the Summit. We firmly believe that promoting entrepreneurship across key economic sectors globally can unlock opportunities for young people globally and solve some of our most pressing development challenges. We have to provide the G20 Presidency in South Africa with concise and clear resolutions that can drive inclusive economic growth across the G20 economies,” said Innocentia Motau, President of YESA.
- Placing trade certainty at the heart of the global economy. Recently introduced trade tariffs have added to the uncertainty burden for small businesses making the entrepreneurial ecosystem non-conducive to entry and scaling in an already challenging environment.
- Inclusive growth – entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of growth and inclusion of economies like the informal sector will ensure that the growth is equitable and delivers on the social impact needed.
- Sustainable agriculture is a priority as global food insecurity intensifies. Young entrepreneurs are well-positioned to innovate in such areas as regenerative agriculture, logistics, distribution, and community-based agribusiness.
- Global green economic transition – The world is grappling with how to accelerate the ongoing transition to more sustainable economic models as the impacts of the climate crisis are felt in countries around the globe. Young entrepreneurs should be at the forefront of innovating and pioneering ways to make our economies greener.
- Digital transformation – Technology can be a powerful driver of economic growth in itself and is also an important enabler of modernizing and revolutionizing existing industries.
The G20 YEA Summit 2025 took place against a backdrop of troubling trade measures that threaten the sustainability of many enterprises in South Africa and beyond. The high degree of uncertainty will make it difficult for early-stage businesses to grow.
For South Africa, entrepreneurship gives the ailing economy its best chance of revival. Supporting entrepreneurs in key industries such as energy where the government has already committed to the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) is a R1.5 trillion investment framework, that aims to deliver quality jobs, energy security and in turn inclusive growth as the just transition unfolds.
“These resolutions are intended to accelerate specific actions from the G20 governments to grow entrepreneurs in sectors that drive inclusive economic growth, create jobs and provide economic access for youth, ensure food security through sustainable agriculture and drive digital innovation. Further to this, the G20 leaders are urged to commit to specific measures that deal with the impact of climate change by promoting entrepreneurship in the global green economy,” Alex Gill Global YEA Secretariat.
“The issues that affect entrepreneurs are diverse and must be resolved urgently if we are to uplift the economies of South Africa and the G20 countries. We are looking forward to the collective priorities and policy recommendations contained in your G20 YEA 2025 communique which will be passed to his Excellency President Ramaphosa,” remarked Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong who accepted the signed resolutions on behalf of the South African President.