Middle: Smangele Nkosi, Cisco, Martine Solomon, Forge X, Natasha Anderson, Forge X,
Right: Cynthia A. Griffin, Conrad Steyn, Cisco, Charmaine Houvet, Cisco
New Hub -The Eighth in South Africa
Cisco, a leading networking and security company, launched a new incubation hub in collaboration with Forge X, on Friday 25 November. The new EDGE Centre in Johannesburg was officially opened in Pine Slopes, Lonehill, and will function as business and technology hub for incubation, innovation and education.
EDGE, which stands for “Experience, Design, GTM (Go to Market) and Earn”, provides access to state-of-the-art Cisco connectivity and collaboration technology, as well as resources for training and enablement programs to local businesses.
This was the eighth Cisco EDGE Centre to be launched in South Africa, and is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program in South Africa. Among these centres is WomHub, the first female-led incubator in South Africa dedicated to promoting gender equality and supporting women in STEM.
Since the inception of the first center in 2019 in South Africa, Cisco EDGE Centers have developed 200 local SMME partnerships that have supported the creation of 104 jobs.
Supporting Entrepreneurs to Create new Technology
Speaking at the launch event, Natasha Anderson from ForgedX comments profoundly that Forge X is “moving people from passive users of technology to active creators of technology”, a sentiment that ran throughout the event. “It is a testament, Natasha says, “to what can be achieved when we keep people at the center of our programs”
The new centre will be equipped with Cisco technology, enabling local start-up businesses to connect with global Cisco experts. Additionally, Cisco Networking Academy, one of the world’s longest standing IT-skills-to-jobs programs, will offer training opportunities on skills development, digital literacy, and cybersecurity certifications.
“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.
Martine Solomon, Executive Director at Forge X commented: “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.” We want to maximise the business value of technology through investments in people” Steyn comments
Collaboration Key to Success
Cisco’s CDA program also collaborates with government and private sector leaders around the world to build sustainable, secure, and inclusive innovation ecosystems powered by ethical and transformative technology solutions.
With more than 1,600 active or completed projects in 50 countries, it is unlocking new value for participating countries, their industries, and their residents.
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
