Queer Business Network Aims to Unleash Africa’s “Pink Economy”

The South African arm of the Queer & Allied Chamber of Commerce Africa (QACC Africa) was officially launched in Cape Town on 15 November during the ILGA World Conference.

Founded in 2022 in Kenya, QACC Africa aims to champion economic inclusion for queer-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and allies while unlocking the potential of Africa’s LGBTIQ+ economy.

The South African chapter’s launch took place at the US Consul General’s residence, attended by representatives from the United States Government, USAID (United States Agency for International Development), private sector stakeholders, and LGBTIQ+ organisations.

Championing Economic Inclusion

The Chamber seeks to foster business connections, expand supply chains, and promote commerce within Africa’s “pink economy,” a term reflecting the LGBTIQ+ community’s purchasing power.

Chris Njeri Muriithi, QACC Africa Co-Founder and Director of Training, Advocacy, and Engagement, described the launch as a pivotal moment:

“Launching the South Africa Chapter cemented our vision of growing the pink economy in Africa. It gets us even closer to actualising the dream of enabling queer business owners and our allies to trade amongst themselves from their respective countries, unlocking wider opportunities for trade and fostering a more equitable continent.”

New research by The Other Foundation values South Africa’s LGBTIQ+ market at over R250 billion annually, highlighting the community’s untapped potential as consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs.

Collaboration and Advocacy

Khangelani Dziba, President of QACC Africa’s South Africa Chapter, emphasised the importance of partnerships in driving progress:

“Collaboration is very important; we cannot do it alone. It is about understanding that there is power in unity, and so much more progress can be achieved, despite the challenges we are always contending with. It is about collectively leveraging the public and private sectors at different times and stages in the fight towards economic and social justice.”

Outgoing US Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Reuben E Brigety II, also highlighted the broader significance of the initiative:

“With this launch, we are not simply making an investment in a chamber of commerce; we are making a profound statement about who we are and what we believe. When we create avenues for LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs to succeed, to grow businesses, to hire and to innovate, we are building a society in which every individual can participate fully in the economic life of their country.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meeting Entrepreneurial Needs

According to The Other Foundation, 90% of South African LGBTIQ+ employees aspire to start their own businesses, while 75% of LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs need funding to grow.

To address this, QACC Africa is developing the Pride + Prosperity Fund, aimed at providing business incubation and growth capital for queer-owned enterprises across Africa.

Adam Sargeant, Co-Founder and Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Management, emphasised the urgency of raising funds:

“[The data] shows how essential QACC Africa’s Pride + Prosperity Fund is for the South African queer community. While we will be able to address this need through partnerships, we must work hard to raise the grant funds needed to build the capacity of these entrepreneurs, while also attracting investment funds for growth and scale.”

A Vision for the Future

Through its South African chapter, QACC Africa will offer resources, training, networking, and mentorship to LGBTIQ+ and allied organisations.

The team expressed excitement about expanding membership and connecting queer South Africans to a Pan-African economic ecosystem.

“It is an honour to advance economic advocacy and development initiatives in countries such as South Africa, whose citizens have already laid the path for huge improvements to the human rights of the LGBTIQA+ community,” said Rodney Otieno, QACC Africa Co-Founder and Director of Policy Development and Membership. “We are also looking forward to connecting queer South Africans to the Pan-African pink economic ecosystem.”

For more information or to register for membership, visit the QACC Africa website.