Johannesburg, 21 August 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) South Africa will convene the first in a series of stakeholder engagements under its flagship initiative, Digital Innovation for Modernising the Independent Economy (DIME). The session, taking place in Soweto, will focus on the theme: “Unlocking the Potential of Female-Owned Spaza Shops in Township Economies.”

Township spaza shops are the backbone of local economies, providing affordable goods and livelihoods for millions. Yet, too often they remain informal, excluded from financial systems, vulnerable to unsafe food practices, and disproportionately male-owned. Studies show that 80–90% of spaza shops are run by men, while women — despite their central role in daily operations and adjacent trading — face steep barriers to ownership, from limited access to capital and safety concerns to restrictive regulatory frameworks.

Why DIME matters

DIME was born out of tragedy. In 2024, 23 children in South Africa’s townships died from food poisoning linked to unsafe food sold in local shops. This crisis exposed dangerous gaps in food safety and regulatory oversight. DIME exists to close those gaps — ensuring that no small business transaction ever costs a child their life.

By modernising 20,000 spaza shops through digital tools, training, and partnerships, DIME aims to create a township economy where shops are compliant, digitally connected, and trusted by their communities.

Putting women at the centre

The first Imbizo, in partnership with Wakanda Food Accelerator, City of Johannesburg, and the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), will spotlight the lived experiences of women entrepreneurs, many of whom keep shops running without recognition or support. It will bring together women business owners, community organisations, policymakers, and private sector leaders to co-create inclusive strategies for unlocking women’s agency in the informal economy.

Anchored in this year’s Women’s Month theme — “Building Resilient Economies for All” — the session will prioritise:

• Strengthening women’s ownership and leadership in township retail.

• Advancing food safety and compliance as public goods.

• Opening new digital and financial pathways for women entrepreneurs.

• Shaping gender-responsive policy and partnerships that empower women.

Why now
This Imbizo-style engagement is about more than dialogue — it is about accountability and action. By listening first and co-creating solutions with township women, DIME reaffirms its ethos: protecting lives, restoring dignity, and rebuilding trust in the township economy.

Event Details
Date: 18 August 2025
Time: 09:00 – 13:00
Venue: Jabulani SafeHub, Soweto