28 Mar PAN AFRICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOST THE FIRST AFRICAN MAYORS CONFERENCE ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2025
The Pan African Chamber of Commerce (PACC) proudly hosted the African Mayors Conference on Entrepreneurship 2025, bringing together key stakeholders, city leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to shape Africa’s economic future. The conference took place on Thursday, 27 March 2025, at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Kgorong Building.
Under the theme “Advancing the 2030 Vision for Economic Growth, Urban Transformation, and Sustainable Job Creation,” the event served as a crucial platform to drive discussions on economic resilience, innovation, and sustainable development across Africa’s urban, peri-urban, rural, and township economies.
A highlight of the conference was the Keynote Address by Honourable MEC Lebogang Maile (MPL), Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development. His insights underscored the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in transforming African cities into thriving economic centres, fostering job creation, and ensuring inclusive growth.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
PACC also unveiled its Women Entrepreneurship Centres, an initiative aimed at equipping women entrepreneurs with essential resources, mentorship, and opportunities to drive economic progress in their communities. These centres will play a key role in bridging gender gaps and fostering inclusive economic empowerment.
The Power of Public-Private Partnerships
Speaking at the event, Unisa Enterprise CEO Lesetsa Matshekga emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in unlocking investment, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering inclusive economic development.
“Economic resilience and growth in our cities rely on three pillars: partnership, innovation, and sustainability. The most successful cities cultivate strong collaborations between the public and private sectors, creating a shared vision that balances economic vitality with community needs,” Matshekga stated.
He also referenced key insights from the Africa Energy Indaba, held in Cape Town from March 5–7, 2025, where Minister of Electricity, Honourable Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, highlighted the necessity of a unified African approach to the ‘weaponization of trade and finance.’
Building Smart, Sustainable Cities
The conference delved into innovative solutions for developing smart, sustainable cities that leverage technology to enhance public services, transportation, and energy efficiency. Discussions also focused on the need for sustainable economic policies that ensure investments in infrastructure, housing, and urban development benefit all community members, especially the most vulnerable.
“As we gather visionaries and leaders from across Africa, the message is clear: collaboration is the key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential,” Matshekga concluded, invoking an African proverb:
“If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together.”
The PACC encourages all stakeholders to build strategic partnerships and play an active role in transforming Africa’s cities into hubs of economic prosperity and innovation.
Media Contact:
Zylvah Makola
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