Creating lasting change starts with listening to the people closest to the challenges — and ensuring communities have the tools, resources, and opportunities to shape their own futures. Cisco’s 40 Communities approach begins with listening to residents and organizations to identify priorities and determine how its resources can support locally developed solutions.

Cisco describes 40 Communities as a 10-year initiative to work with and invest in 40 communities globally.  The initiative brings Cisco’s technology, programs, and resources together with the knowledge and experience of local organizations. The goal: to develop locally relevant projects that expand access to skills, services, and economic opportunities.

Now, this work is coming to Africa.

Cisco has selected Johannesburg, South Africa, as its first 40 Communities site in Africa. The announcement builds on more than 30 years of Cisco programs and partnerships in the country and introduces a new collaboration with Jozi My Jozi.

Brian Tippens, Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact & Sustainability Officer at Cisco (Right) and Innocent Mabusela, CEO, Jozi My Jozi (Left) sign a landmark partnership bringing Cisco’s 40 Communities initiative to Johannesburg – its first site in Africa.

Building on a Foundation in South Africa

Johannesburg’s selection builds on Cisco’s more than 30-year commitment to expanding digital access and skills in South Africa. Through initiatives including Cisco Networking Academy and Country Digital Acceleration, Cisco has completed 24 digital transformation projects in the country and helped more than 600,000 learners grow their digital skills.

Access to technology is only one part of participating in a digital economy. Training, employment pathways, and institutional support can also help people apply digital skills in education, employment, and enterprise. In Johannesburg, 40 Communities will build on this foundation while bringing a broader set of Cisco capabilities and partners to locally identified priorities.

Masibambisane: “Let Us Work Together”

Cisco and Jozi My Jozi are calling their multi-year collaboration Masibambisane, a Nguni word meaning “let us work together.” The name reflects the collaborative approach at the heart of the initiative — bringing Cisco’s capabilities together with local knowledge and leadership.

As Jozi My Jozi’s first US-based strategic partner, Cisco will work with Jozi My Jozi and its coalition and its network of more than 140 organizations across government, business, civil society, academia, and local organizations. Jozi My Jozi will serve as the local anchor for 40 Communities in Johannesburg. Together, Cisco and Jozi My Jozi will advance four priorities: digital education and skilling; connected safety; smart mobility and transit; and responsible giving, volunteerism, and community engagement.

The approach reflects something Global Citizens know well: no single organization or sector can solve the world’s biggest challenges alone. Meaningful progress requires governments, businesses, civil society, and citizens to bring their respective strengths to the table — with communities themselves helping lead the way.

Expanding Opportunity for the Next Generation

In Johannesburg, the initiative will build on Cisco’s existing social impact partnerships across South Africa, extending work already underway in digital education, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship programs.

Cisco is working with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and EduNova to advance AI-literacy for educators and students across Gauteng. Cisco also plans to expand its work with Camp Sizanani to offer young people financial literacy and entrepreneurship training for an economy increasingly shaped by AI.

These efforts are part of a broader portfolio of social impact work in South Africa, from supporting women in off-grid communities through Cisco Networking Academy’s partnership with the Lindamahle Innovation Centre to investing in STEM scholarships through StudyTrust.

These partnerships provide a strong foundation for 40 Communities in Johannesburg and for the broader work Cisco and Jozi My Jozi will advance through Masibambisane.

Taken together, these efforts recognize a reality facing communities around the world: as technology transforms how we learn, work, and connect, access to the skills and opportunities needed to participate in that transformation must grow with it.

What Comes Next for 40 Communities in Johannesburg

40 Communities is in its early stages in Johannesburg. By listening to local voices and collaborating closely, Cisco, Jozi my Jozi, and local partners will build on what’s already working and identify new opportunities to strengthen community resilience and expand access to opportunity in an increasingly digital world.

Learn more about the initiative through Cisco’s 40 Communities website and Jozi My Jozi.