BRICS+ Youth Summit: ‘Unite and innovate for a brighter tomorrow’

The South African BRICS+ Youth Association organized a two-day summit that took place from May 15 to May 16, 2024 at the Pretoria Innovation Hub, centered around the theme ‘Innovate to empower: building futures, transforming societies.

This hub is one of the first science and technology parks in Africa to receive accreditation.

The program aims to support young entrepreneurs, foster innovation, and encourage sustainable development.

Speakers hailing from various BRICS+ countries came together to express their support, including Hon. Pitso Lesaoana MP, the Minister of Gender, Youth, and Social Development from the kingdom of Lesotho. In his inspiring message, he emphasized the importance of fostering a future where innovation and entrepreneurship are not mere actions but the driving forces behind progress.

“Let us be the architects of a future where innovation and entrepreneurship are not just deeds, but the very engines that drive progress,” said Lesaoana.

The main aim for this summit was to create a platform for young innovators and entrepreneurs from the BRICS+ nations to connect, learn from one anther and to team up together to address common challenges faced by the BRICS+ nations.

The BRICS+ countries are seen as some of the countries that have a vast pool of talented, creative and innovative young people, by providing them with a platform to all come together to share ideas and help one another to solve societal problems each of the countries face.

In an interview with the Deputy Director of Zhongguancun Science Park South Africa, Ms. Alice Qi, she said: “One of the Science parks main function is to join research projects between China and South Africa they also do project matching in regard of science tech companies between Beijing and South African entrepreneurs.”

Joining the BRICS+ youth innovation summit has also really given the Science Park the opportunity perform its function to the fullest.

By bringing the youth across the BRICS+ nations together with SABYA aims to take advantage of their creativity, knowledge and skills to promote economic growth, sustainable development and social progress all across the nations.

With partners such as SABYA – the main organizer, the Innovation Hub the (Host of the Summit), Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, The National Youth Development Agency, TV BRICS and the BRICS the summit was set to be a success and provide the young entrepreneurs with great opportunities not just to network with one another but to also explore the investment opportunities that are available for them.

The young entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to present their projects to a group of adjudicators as they will asses the presentations, by the end of the summit six young entrepreneurs and innovators will be invited and supported by SABYA and its partners to participate in other international entrepreneurship and Business platform
and programme such Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The summit is a platform created to unite young innovators and business owners from the BRICS+ nations in order to seek out chances for cooperation, exchange ideas and expertise, and create new solutions to shared obstacles.

Speaking to Kasi Voice News, Bangani Mpangalasane CEO of The Innovation Hub,

“We are honoured that the BRICS delegates have once again decided to set foot into our home, The Innovation Hub being Africa’ first accredited Science and Technology Park, for such a prestigious event,” said Mpangalasane.

The Innovation Hub, in collaboration with and that our esteemed partners the South African Business Youth Association , National Youth Development Agency and Z Park are proud to host this young international community partnered with us to host an event of this magnitude,” Mpangalane said.

“As we which aims to unlock opportunities for our youth in the African continent by providing them with a platform to engage in meaningful dialogue and deliberation, and to showcase their innovations,” he said.