G20 Digital Innovation Alliance

The G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA) promote innovative digital solutions from startups in G20 countries, focusing on collaboration with industry leaders to enhance socio-economic development in Africa.

text: Tulio de Oliveira photos: Supplied

We participated with Google and Google DeepMind on the The G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA), which was an initiative by the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) of the Group of 20, established to identify, recognise, and enable the adoption of innovative digital technologies developed by startups from G20 countries and invited guest nations.

The mission of this small and medium enterprise (MSME) competition was to address humanity’s most pressing needs across six critical sectors – through cutting-edge digital solutions that can create global population-scale impact, reduce the digital divide, and enable sustainable and inclusive techno-socio-economic development.

The G20-DIA Summit brought together top-nominated startups from each theme area to showcase their solutions to a global community of investors, mentors, corporates, and government stakeholders on the sidelines of the DEWG meeting in Cape Town, from September 26-29, 2025.

The G20 Digital Innovation Alliance was divided into six Innovation Themes:

1. Fintech

Developing and providing digital solutions that transform financial services and improve money management, access, and transfer. Your entry should address financial inclusion, streamline payments, enhance transaction security, improve credit access, or reimagine banking services.

2. Digital Platforms and AI Tools

Connecting communities through technology. This stream focuses on innovative solutions that create value by connecting multiple user groups in virtual marketplaces. Develop scalable platforms that address market inefficiencies, create new digital ecosystems, or transform industries through technology-enabled connections.

3. Secured Digital Infrastructure

Strengthening digital foundations. Looking for solutions that strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, and system resilience in our connected ecosystem. Showcase technologies that protect digital assets, safeguard information, secure networks, or ensure business continuity during threats.

4. Circular Economy

Extending technology lifecycles. This stream seeks digital solutions that extend tech product lifecycles and reduce e-waste. Show how your innovations enable sustainable practices such as refurbishment, component recovery, equipment sharing, or resource optimisation.

5. Innovation for Development (Social Impact)

Technology for social good. Seeking digital solutions addressing critical social challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and education. Develop technologies that improve agricultural productivity, enhance healthcare access, or transform educational delivery while creating both social impact and business value.

6. Innovation for Connectivity

Bridging the digital divide. This stream focuses on digital solutions that bridge the digital divide and enhance network infrastructure for underserved communities. Develop technologies that improve internet access, strengthen telecommunications, or create affordable connectivity options.

As part of the G20 visit, a senior team from Google and Google DeepMind visited the CERi laboratories as well as CERI’S biotechnology incubator and accelerator; the LaunchLab CERI BIO in Stellenbosch. The objective was to develop collaborative ideas between Google and CERI to further collabroation and partnership.

Google DeepMind and CERI already work in collaboration with the AI for Science Masters programme in South Africa. This programme, in partnership with the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), provide advanced training in AI and graduates 40 mathematician and engenieers every year. Many of them do the project with CERI and work with CERI’s data team on advancing the AI programme of CLIMADE and pandemic sciences.

One of the big objectives of the advance of AI for Science in Africa is also to produce the mathematicians and engenieers needed to create AI-based business that translate some of the scientific advances into commercial opportunities. During the G20 and the visit of the Google DeepMind senior team to Stellenbosch University, Prof Tulio de Oliveira discussed further collaboration and investiment in science and business development. A follow-up visit from Google DeepMind executives is planned.