The Business 20 B20 South Africa Digital Transformation Task Force has launched a R1.7 billion 100 million Digital Inclusion Fund aimed at supporting technology-focused start-ups across Africa. Announced at the B20 South Africa Summit breakfast, the fund represents a tangible outcome of the Task Force's policy initiatives during South Africa's B20 presidency and seeks to accelerate digital inclusion across the continent.
The fund's primary mission is to back African entrepreneurs whose ventures aim to bridge the continent's digital divide. Investments will prioritize sectors critical to Africa's digital economy, including connectivity solutions, digital skills and education, health technology Healthtech, financial inclusion through fintech for the unbanked, and agritech innovations.
Structured as a blended capital platform, the fund combines concessional capital from development finance institutions and philanthropic partners with commercial investments from private sector stakeholders. This model is designed to de-risk early-stage investments while enabling scalable, sustainable impact. In addition to financial support, the fund offers start-ups access to a robust ecosystem of global partners, regulators, and distribution networks across the B20 and G20 communities.
