Minister Chikunga
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has emphasised the importance of collaborative ecosystems in driving successful and resilient women-owned businesses across Africa, calling for governments, private sector, development institutions, and women entrepreneurs to work together to advance financial inclusion for women.
Introduction to the Event and Minister’s Address
The G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) hosted the Women to Africa event in Johannesburg on Friday, 29 August 2025. This gathering took place at the Inanda Club in The Polo Room, bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond. The event was held in partnership with Standard Bank, focusing on the theme “Collaborative Ecosystems for Successful and Resilient Women Businesses”. It came during the closing week of Women’s Month 2025, which carried the national theme “Building Resilient Economies for All”.
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga delivered a powerful keynote address, stressing that true economic resilience cannot exist when women are excluded from key opportunities. She highlighted how women, who form more than half of Africa’s population, must be at the heart of growth and development. “No economy can claim resilience if more than half its people — women, young and old — remain locked out of markets, of finance, of safety, and of dignity,” she said. This message resonated with attendees, including Deputy Minister Mapaseka Steve Letsike and Programme Director Advocate Nzinga Qunta, who helped guide the discussions.
The summit was not just about talk; it aimed to spark real change by building networks that support women in business. Standard Bank Chief Executive Luvuyo Masinda echoed the call to shift the narrative around women’s roles in the economy, noting that it is time for meaningful progress. Broadcast journalist turned entrepreneur Cathy Mohlahlana shared her experiences, pointing out ongoing hurdles like limited funding and access to markets in male-dominated fields. She encouraged women to push forward in these spaces to thrive and create impact.
Key Priorities Under South Africa’s G20 Presidency
South Africa took over the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, and it will continue until 30 November 2025. The overall theme is “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. This marks a historic moment as it is the first time the G20 Presidency is held on African soil, making it Africa’s G20, not just South Africa’s. The EWWG, chaired by Chikunga’s department, focuses on three main areas: the care economy, financial inclusion for women, and ending gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
These priorities align with broader goals like reforming global institutions, funding sustainable development and climate action, creating jobs through inclusive growth, using digital tools for change, and building peaceful societies. Chikunga made it clear that none of these can succeed if women are left out. “These priorities sit firmly within Africa’s broader G20 Presidency agenda — reforming global governance institutions, financing sustainable development and climate action, driving inclusive growth and job creation, harnessing digital transformation, and building peace and resilient societies. None of these can succeed if women are left behind,” she explained.
On a continental level, the Minister linked the work to Agenda 2063, which sees Africa’s future driven by its people, especially women and youth. She also spotlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest trade integration project. Women make up 70% of cross-border traders, so the AfCFTA must open its value chains to them. “If AfCFTA does not work for women, it will not work for Africa,” Chikunga warned. This underscores the need for trade policies that empower women traders and businesses.
South Africa’s Progress in Gender Equality
At home, South Africa has made strides in putting women in leadership roles. Women now hold 43% of Cabinet positions, 43.5% of seats in Parliament, and 45% of roles in the judiciary. These numbers show a commitment to gender balance in decision-making.
A big step forward is the new Public Procurement Act, which makes it mandatory for 40% of government contracts to go to women-owned businesses. This is no longer optional; it is a binding rule to boost economic participation. The government is also launching programmes like the Transformative Industrialists Accelerator to help women lead in growing sectors such as renewable energy, agritech, digital tools, and advanced manufacturing. This support covers everything from idea development to financing and partnerships.
For persons with disabilities, initiatives like the Disability Inclusion Nerve Centre aim to end exclusion by tracking progress and ensuring opportunities in jobs and services. These efforts tie into the G20’s legacy projects, ensuring lasting change.
Ongoing Challenges Facing Women in South Africa
Despite these gains, big problems remain. Women’s unemployment stands at 35.7%, and for young women, it is over 44%. Women hold less than 13% of patents, showing a gap in innovation and ownership. GBVF costs the economy billions each year, draining resources and harming lives.
Chikunga described this as “progress without transformation is organised inequality”. She stressed that the G20 Presidency must deliver real systems that work for women, not just words. Entrepreneurs like Mohlahlana highlighted how women struggle in male-dominated industries, facing barriers to funding and markets. This makes it hard to grow businesses and compete.
Calls for Bold Shifts and Concrete Actions
The Minister called for “bold shifts” to turn commitments into action. First, finance the “missing middle” – women-owned businesses too big for small loans but too small for bank funding. Affordable capital is key to growth.
Second, put women at the front of new industries like renewable energy, agritech, digital, and manufacturing – not just as workers, but as leaders and owners.
Third, build accountability into systems. “Conferences do not change the world — systems do,” Chikunga said. This means setting clear targets, ensuring fair payments for women businesses, tracking progress openly, and having zero tolerance for GBVF in workplaces.
The event was “not for dialogue alone, but for action, capital, and accountability”. Chikunga urged placing women at the center of Africa’s economic shift. The G20’s success will be measured by whether women gain access to capital, safety, and leadership roles.
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