B20 South Africa launches with a bold vision for action

The B20 officially launched in South Africa on Monday night, marking a defining moment in global business diplomacy.

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With a strong emphasis on action over policy rhetoric, the forum seeks to drive measurable outcomes that ensure tangible economic transformation.

A major initiative under discussion, ideated by Phuti Mahanyele, Chair of the Digital Transformation Task Force, and Bassim Haidar, Deputy Chair, is the creation of a B20 Africa Fund.

“The B20 Africa Fund is about ensuring that policy decisions translate into real, measurable impact. Too often, emerging markets are left behind due to a lack of access to capital,” said Haider.

Delivering economic progress

This fund would underpin policy decisions with real investment and accountability, ensuring that global leaders are encouraged to take more actionable steps toward delivering economic progress across emerging markets.

One of the core themes of the launch was artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in shaping Africa’s digital transformation.

Business leaders stressed that AI must be treated as a national investment priority, rather than merely an emerging technology.

Africa’s unique advantage lies in its ability to leapfrog legacy systems and directly adopt cutting-edge digital solutions, including AI, automation, and cloud-based platforms.

This agility enables emerging markets to become key innovators in global supply chains.

Key areas discussed included:

• Skills Development: Addressing digital skills at the grassroots level is crucial. South Africa, for example, can double its number of STEM graduates to boost global competitiveness. Africa’s working-age population is the fastest-growing in the world, expected to reach 1.1 billion by 2035, providing a massive workforce for the AI-driven future.
• Infrastructure & Connectivity: Many African nations skipped landline infrastructure, moving directly to mobile-first economies. With over 600 million mobile users, Africa is primed to deploy next-generation AI-driven solutions to accelerate economic growth.
• Regulation & Policy: Clear policy frameworks are needed to accelerate AI adoption, requiring alignment between public and private sectors to ensure rapid, efficient implementation.
• Funding & Investment: Access to capital remains a major challenge. The B20 Africa Fund aims to promote access to capital, ensuring that emerging markets can develop AI and digital infrastructure at scale.

The B20 South Africa launch set the tone for a results-driven agenda, positioning Africa at the forefront of global digital transformation while reinforcing AI as a critical driver of economic progress, job creation, and global competitiveness.

The B20 South Africa Launch event will take place in Cape Town on 24-25 February 2025.

Will you be following the B20 Launch Event with keen interest?

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