As global economic conversations shift toward inclusion and innovation, this week’s Africa CEO Forum became a stage for game-changing ideas—especially for those betting on Africa’s potential.
The spotlight turned to Business 20 South Africa (B20 SA), the official G20 business group, as they laid out a bold vision for how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can unlock massive industrial and investment growth across the continent.
Shaping Africa’s Global Role Through Business
Leading the charge was Dr Anthony Costa, head of the B20 South Africa Secretariat.
Speaking during the ‘Invest in South Africa’ panel, Costa didn’t mince words.
He called for a serious rethink in how the global community approaches African development—less charity, more partnership.
He stressed the need for policy frameworks that aren’t just lofty ambitions but are practical, actionable, and designed for real collaboration between governments and businesses.
Rallying 1,500 Business Leaders for Change
Costa revealed that B20 SA has already launched a year-long process involving over 1,500 private sector leaders from around the world, who are working across eight key Task Forces.
Their shared goal? To come up with meaningful recommendations that align business strategies with government priorities to spark inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Focused Priorities to Inspire Investor Confidence
The panel zoomed in on three key areas that need urgent attention if Africa wants to attract serious investment:
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Building clear public-private partnership models that actually work.
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Strengthening governance and transparency across sectors.
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Closing the skills gap with targeted workforce development programs.
These steps, according to the panel, will go a long way in restoring global investor confidence and aligning Africa’s industrial vision with its workforce capacity.
Cutting the Red Tape for Faster Investment
Joining the conversation, Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi from the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition emphasized one of South Africa’s top priorities—making it easier to do business.
He highlighted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to streamlining company registration and speeding up approvals for business mergers.
Godlimpi said government is actively pushing the Competition Commission to accelerate its processes, which could help local and foreign businesses form partnerships more easily and confidently invest in South Africa.
Turning Africa’s Risk Image Into a Strategic Opportunity
Costa also touched on a deeper issue—Africa’s global investment image.
He argued that the world must stop seeing Africa as a risky bet and start recognizing it as a strategic opportunity.
With South Africa gearing up to chair the G20 in 2025, he believes this is Africa’s moment to influence global economic agendas and ensure its voice is part of that bigger conversation.
A Credible Platform for Real Progress
Closing out his remarks, Costa described B20 South Africa as a credible, high-impact platform that’s ready to push Africa’s growth story forward.
Their focus, he said, isn’t just on dreaming big—it’s on delivering results that both governments and businesses can realistically implement.