In an economy where innovation often skews towards privilege, Black entrepreneurship remains South Africa’s most underutilised engine of inclusive growth—and its greatest missed opportunity. From the informal economies of townships to the boardrooms of black-owned startups, Black entrepreneurs have long been building value in overlooked places and underserved markets. But in a global economy increasingly defined by speed, digital transformation, and access to networks, Black entrepreneurship needs more than grit, it needs deliberate, systemic inclusion.
Across Africa and in the global diaspora, young Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and potential investors are rising with bold ideas and high ambitions. However, ambition alone does not dismantle systemic barriers. The path to inclusive economic transformation requires a three-pronged approach: unlocking opportunity, confronting structural barriers, and leveraging innovation as a transformative force. Africa is the youngest continent, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25. This youth bulge is both a demographic dividend and a call to action.Â
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Young people are not just the future workforce, they are current creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Their familiarity with digital tools, social media, and emerging technologies makes them uniquely equipped to solve modern problems in modern ways.
At the same time, underserved communities represent untapped markets with immense spending potential. In South Africa alone, the township economy is estimated to be worth over R400 billion annually. From logistics to tech services, healthcare to clean energy, young Black entrepreneurs are positioned to capture and grow these markets, if the playing field is levelled. Yet, despite this potential, a formidable wall stands between promise and prosperity.
Despite their potential, Black entrepreneurs remain disproportionately excluded from mainstream economic participation. The most cited barrier is access to capital. Traditional financial institutions often rely on outdated metrics, collateral, credit history, and formal employment—as proxies for viability. These measures disadvantage first-generation entrepreneurs and exclude those innovating in the informal economy.
Capital alone cannot fuel growth. Without access to markets, networks, and mentorship, innovation stalls before it starts. And perhaps most crucially, there is an underrepresentation in high-growth sectors such as fintech, agritech, green energy, and logistics, sectors that are shaping the future economy.
If these structural barriers are not addressed, young Black entrepreneurs will continue to operate at the margins, without an equitable share of the economic pie. What is at stake is not just individual success stories, but a broader opportunity for economic transformation that is inclusive, dynamic, and sustainable. Innovation must be at the heart of any strategy to drive inclusive economic growth. Innovation is not just about technology; it’s about using creativity to solve systemic problems, break down silos, and connect underserved people to opportunity.
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A powerful example of this is Delivery Ka Speed, a township-based delivery and logistics company that started as a local solution and has grown into a scalable business. Recognising the inefficiencies of traditional delivery models in informal areas, Delivery Ka Speed built a platform that connected local couriers, digital orders, and community needs. Through mobile technology, data-driven dispatch systems, and partnerships with local vendors, the company reimagined logistics in a way that is accessible, fast, and profitable.
From one township, Delivery Ka Speed expanded to multiple urban areas, employing young people and injecting economic activity into local ecosystems. The company’s profitability and expansion are a testament to what happens when innovation meets inclusion, and when Black entrepreneurs are given the tools to thrive.
Delivery Ka Speed is not an anomaly. It is a signal of what is possible when young Black entrepreneurs are empowered to lead the transformation of their own communities, using innovation to bridge service gaps, create jobs, and build local economies.
Unlocking the barriers that hold back young Black entrepreneurs is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic strategy. When given equal opportunity and support, young professionals and entrepreneurs can create products, platforms, and systems that benefit everyone. They don’t just fill market gaps; they create new markets.
The growth of companies like Delivery Ka Speed proves that innovation rooted in community and driven by youth can be both transformative and profitable. But one success story is not enough. We must multiply it, through deliberate investment, inclusive policy, and a reimagined economy where Black entrepreneurs are not outliers, but leaders.
It’s time to move beyond recognition. Let us institutionalise innovation, finance inclusion, and back Black brilliance—not just with applause, but with action.
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About the Author
Comfort Matoti is the Chairperson of the BMF Young Professionals in Gauteng. He works at Infrastructure South Africa, supporting national infrastructure planning and socio-economic development. He holds a BA in Politics and International Relations, an Honours in African Studies and International Relations, and a Master’s in Political Economy from the University of Johannesburg.
Interesting post. I think that we should perhaps move away from the idea that capital should solely come from banks and empowerment programs. An alternative way of thinking would consist in generating capital through bootstrapping (either by selling personal properties or through a personal wage).
Capital should not only focus on money but also on other values such as relationships, low cost equipment, and skills (e.g: the art of negotiation, website creation, telephone etiquettes). Sometimes entrepreneurs solely focus on big sums of money and they get discouraged once those sums are unreachable. Let us review the way we define capital to include elements other than money: ‘now, that’s innovative capital.’