South Africa to Host Inaugural G20 SME Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg

Johannesburg, 21 July 2025 — South Africa is set to take centre stage in the global small business community as it hosts the inaugural G20 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting from 22 to 24 July 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg.

Organised by the International Trade Centre (ITC) — the United Nations’ small business agency — in collaboration with the South African Government through the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), the event marks a historic milestone in placing SMEs at the forefront of inclusive global economic growth.

Ahead of the three-day event, a press conference will be held today, Monday, 21 July at 12:00, at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre. The media briefing will be led by Ms. Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, South Africa’s Minister of Small Business Development, alongside Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the ITC.

The press conference will outline the programme highlights and unpack key themes of the ministerial meeting, which include strengthening international cooperation on SME development, enhancing digital and financial inclusion, and addressing barriers that hinder the growth of small businesses — particularly in emerging economies.

“The SME sector is a powerful engine for job creation, innovation, and economic resilience,” said Minister Ndabeni. “Hosting this meeting under the G20 framework affirms South Africa’s commitment to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and digitally empowered small business ecosystem.”

Executive Director Coke-Hamilton added, “This inaugural meeting is not just a dialogue — it is a call to action for governments, private sector leaders, and development partners to create enabling environments where small businesses can thrive and scale globally.”

The G20 SME Ministerial Meeting will convene ministers, policymakers, global experts, and SME representatives from across G20 nations and beyond. It is expected to deliver a roadmap of actionable outcomes aimed at reinforcing the role of SMEs in driving equitable economic growth across the globe.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Department of Small Business Development – Communications Unit
Email: media@dsbd.gov.za
Phone: +27 (0)12 394 1500