Cisco has partnered with Forge X, an incubation hub, to establish a new Edge centre in Johannesburg that will foster incubation, innovation, and education.
The Edge initiative—short for “Experience, Design, Go-to-Market (GTM), and Earn”—offers local businesses access to cutting-edge Cisco connectivity and collaboration technologies, alongside training and enablement programs to local businesses.
This marks the launch of the eighth Cisco Edge Centre in South Africa, a key initiative under Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program.
Notably, one of these centres is WomHub, South Africa’s first female-led incubator dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women in STEM fields.
Since the establishment of the first centre in 2019, Cisco Edge Centres in South Africa have forged 200 local SMME partnerships and contributed to the creation of 104 jobs.
The new centre will feature state-of-the-art Cisco technology, providing local businesses with the opportunity to collaborate with global Cisco experts. It will also host the Cisco Networking Academy, one of the world’s longest-running IT skills-to-jobs programs, offering training in skills development, digital literacy, and cybersecurity certifications.
Smangele Nkosi, Country Leader at Cisco South Africa says this collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering an inclusive digital future by driving innovation and enabling job creation within South Africa’s dynamic technology landscape.
“With AI emerging as a crucial driver of economic transformation, it is vital to equip SMMEs with the skills, tools, and knowledge required to harness its potential. By empowering these businesses, we not only accelerate their growth but also contribute to sustainable income generation and long-term economic resilience in the country.” ~ Smangele Nkosi, country leader, Cisco South Africa.
Martine Solomon, Executive Director at Forge X says this collaboration will enable SMMEs to leverage technology to build sustainable businesses and drive local innovation.
“Our hands-on approach to business development and Cisco’s extensive expertise creates a robust support structure for entrepreneurs and youth. We are building an inclusive ecosystem where digital and entrepreneurial skills foster economic resilience and community growth,” says Solomon.
“Our shared vision with Forge X is to create a new network of certified Cisco partners offering innovative technology solutions to the South African market. This collaboration reflects our goal of supporting South Africa’s digital economy, expected to comprise nearly 20% of GDP by 2028,” said Conrad Steyn, Country Digital Acceleration Leader at Cisco South Africa.
Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program partners with governments and private sector leaders worldwide to create sustainable, secure, and inclusive innovation ecosystems driven by ethical and transformative technology.
With over 1,600 projects either active or completed across 50 countries, the program is delivering significant value to nations, industries, and their citizens.
A key pillar to the CDA program is digital skills development in collaboration with Cisco Networking Academy. Since the inception of Cisco Networking Academy in South Africa in 1998, more than 411,000 students have been trained, including 154,000 in Cisco’s 2024 fiscal year alone, 61% of whom were female.
A cornerstone of the CDA program is digital skills development through collaboration with the Cisco Networking Academy. Since its launch in South Africa in 1998, the academy has trained over 411,000 students, including 154,000 in Cisco’s 2024 fiscal year alone, with women comprising 61% of this cohort.