Universities South Africa’s (USAf) Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, in partnership with the British Council, is preparing to host the SWEEP TransformHER Living Lab and National Workshop from 13–15 July 2026. The national gathering will bring together approximately 200 student leaders, 30 SWEEP Coordinators, academics, entrepreneurs, government representatives and industry partners from across South Africa to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship through collaboration, innovation and leadership development.
The workshop forms part of the broader SWEEP TransformHER initiative, a collaborative programme delivered by the British Council and USAf in partnership with the University of Lincoln, North-West University and other higher education partners to strengthen institutional collaboration between South Africa and the United Kingdom while advancing women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, research, mentorship and innovation.
Building on a partnership established in 2018, the British Council and Universities South Africa have worked together to strengthen entrepreneurship development across South Africa’s public universities through the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships Programme. Now in its third phase (2025–2028), the collaboration continues to support entrepreneurship education, institutional partnerships and graduate success while expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs through the SWEEP programme. Operating across South Africa’s 26 public universities, SWEEP is designed to strengthen women’s economic empowerment through mentorship, capability development, international collaboration and entrepreneurship education. The 2026 TransformHER programme consists of five interconnected activities: HERMentorship, HERLand, HERLiving Lab through HERStory, HERGrowth Mindset Cultivation, and HERCreation, each contributing to a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem for female university students.
The upcoming national workshop will serve as the flagship gathering of the 2026 programme, providing participants with an immersive learning experience centred on leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. Over three days, student leaders and SWEEP Coordinators will participate in keynote presentations, practical skills workshops, entrepreneurial competency development, creative Living Lab activities and networking opportunities designed to strengthen collaboration between universities, industry and entrepreneurship support organisations.
The programme has been carefully designed to move beyond traditional conference formats by encouraging participants to co-create solutions, reflect on lived experiences and develop practical strategies that can be implemented within their own university communities. Through collaborative learning and international knowledge exchange, the Living Lab approach provides an environment where ideas are tested, refined and transformed into meaningful action. Participants will engage with leading academics, entrepreneurs and international experts through a series of masterclasses and skills development sessions covering topics such as entrepreneurial leadership, growth mindset, communication, resilience, financial literacy, cash flow management, sustainability, budgeting and value creation. Interactive activities, including entrepreneurial competency reflection exercises, creative storytelling sessions and peer-to-peer networking, will further strengthen participants’ confidence and leadership capabilities.
In addition to student-focused activities, the programme includes dedicated engagements for SWEEP Coordinators, recognising the critical role they play in advancing entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment across South Africa’s university sector. A national recognition ceremony will celebrate the contribution of SWEEP Chapters and Coordinators from universities across the country, highlighting the growing impact of the programme within higher education.
Ahead of the national workshop, a South African delegation participated in the HERLand – Entrepreneurship & Agriculture programme hosted by the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom. The programme, delivered in partnership with the University of Lincoln and Ulster University, brought together academics, student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship ecosystem partners to explore sustainable agriculture, innovation and entrepreneurship through an international knowledge exchange.
The insights, partnerships and collaborative opportunities developed during the UK programme will directly inform the July workshop and contribute to future SWEEP activities, including the development of a podcast series and a micro-credential in agricultural entrepreneurship. These initiatives are intended to ensure that the knowledge generated through the partnership extends beyond individual events and creates lasting value for universities and students across South Africa.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director of Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education at Universities South Africa, said:
“TransformHER demonstrates what is possible when universities, international partners and industry work together to create opportunities for young women. By investing in entrepreneurship education, leadership development and global collaboration, we are equipping students with the skills, confidence and networks needed to become innovators, job creators and leaders within their communities.”
The SWEEP TransformHER programme reflects a shared commitment by the British Council, Universities South Africa and partner universities to advancing entrepreneurship, gender equity and institutional collaboration. Beyond developing entrepreneurial skills, the programme seeks to strengthen an international community of practice that enables universities to learn from one another, share innovative approaches and build more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
As delegates prepare to gather in South Africa this July, the SWEEP TransformHER Living Lab and National Workshop represents more than a national event; it is an investment in the future of women entrepreneurs, a celebration of international collaboration and another milestone in building entrepreneurial universities that contribute to South Africa’s social and economic development.
About EDHE
The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme of Universities South Africa (USAf), supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training through the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP), works with South Africa’s public universities to strengthen entrepreneurship in higher education by advancing entrepreneurial universities, supporting student entrepreneurship and promoting the commercialisation of innovation and research.