Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa is on a mission to push digital transformation forward—not just in Africa, but across developing economies worldwide.
As the chairperson of the Business 20’s (B20) Digital Transformation Task Force, she’s steering a group of top tech leaders aiming to close the digital divide and expand internet access to those who need it most.
In a recent chat, Phuthi shared what this task force is all about.
Part of the larger B20 initiative—which advises the G20 group of nations—the Digital Transformation Task Force focuses on crafting actionable policies.
Their goal? To make sure that countries across Africa and other developing regions can keep pace with tech giants like the US and China.
She emphasized, “This is the perfect time with South Africa leading the G20 to make sure technology benefits everyone—opening doors, respecting human rights, and leaving no one behind in this digital era.”
From Soweto to CEO: The Story of Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa
Phuthi’s journey is truly inspiring.
Born in 1971 in Meadowlands, Soweto, she moved around quite a bit growing up—from Durban to Lesotho and Johannesburg.
Despite tough personal challenges, including losing her mother as a teenager, she pushed through and built an impressive academic record with degrees from Rutgers University in the US and De Montfort University in the UK, plus a Harvard executive program under her belt.
Her career kicked off in New York at Fieldstone Private Capital Group, where she specialised in infrastructure finance.
Rising to vice-president of the South African branch set the stage for her return home.
Driving Impact in South Africa’s Business Landscape
Back in South Africa, Phuthi took the lead in project finance at the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Later, she joined Cyril Ramaphosa’s Shanduka Group and as CEO, she helped seal major partnerships with global brands like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s South Africa.
In 2015, she co-founded Sigma Capital, an investment holding company, before making history as the first Black woman CEO of Naspers South Africa in 2019.
Under her leadership, Naspers has boosted the South African tech ecosystem, especially through Naspers Foundry—an initiative that backs promising startups.
The company also supports lifestyle e-commerce platforms such as Takealot.com, Property24, AutoTrader, Mr D Food, and media giant Media24.
Boards, Social Impact, and Recognition
Phuthi doesn’t stop at business success.
She sits on key boards like Vodacom and is an executive director at both Naspers and Prosus.
She’s passionate about youth empowerment too, actively working with the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and Global Dignity South Africa to advance education and social development.
Her remarkable contributions have earned her several honors, including Forbes Woman Africa’s Businesswoman of the Year in 2014 and CNBC Africa’s All Africa Business Leaders Woman of the Year in 2019.