CSG has announced it’s extending its partnership with South Africa’s Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative (CiTi) to enable CiTi’s Women in Business programme to be offered across the country.
Established in 1999, CiTi works at the intersection of business, government and society. It aims to shape South Africa’s future economy through innovation and technology, with its Women in Business initiative supporting female entrepreneurs to implement and adopt digital platforms and programmes that up-skill their technological acuity. With more than 1,700 alumni, and 1,500 women applying to join the programme, demand is high. This year, 30 female ICT entrepreneurs will participate in a ten-week course. Three finalists will then be selected for a ten-month entrepreneurial programme.
“In Africa, women business owners are defying social norms in the face of systemic obstacles, including limited access to funding, inadequate scaling resources, and challenges with work-life balance. We help women overcome these hurdles with strategic support, mentoring, peer to peer learning, and networking opportunities that enable them to navigate tough competition and thrive.”
As part of CSG South Africa’s commitment to making tech skills more accessible and to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), it has agreed to fund this year’s cohort, speak at events, transfer know-how and connect participants with CSG’s Women in Leadership programme.
“Creating space for women and underrepresented voices across the innovation and technology ecosystem is critical to driving economic impact in our communities and diversifying the tech talent pipeline. We’re committed to supporting work that builds capacity and offers access to leadership skills crucial to success in entrepreneurship to foster a more inclusive economy. CSG is proud to partner with CiTi to expand the Women in Business programme across the region.”
Omnisperience’s View
Omnisperience welcomes programmes that widen access to both technology and the business opportunities it brings. We believe that increased female participation in the tech market is essential for the next phase of its development globally and think African women bring a unique perspective to both digital Africa and the wider digital market that will help both to flourish.