B20 2025 Recommendations Event: South Africa Advances Youth Empowerment, Sustainability, and Economic Development
South Africa is set to host the B20 Summit 2025 from 18 to 20 November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. South Africa is playing a pivotal role in global economic leadership with the B20 Recommendations Event held on 4 September 2025 in Johannesburg. This event marked the formal handover of detailed, business-driven policy proposals from the B20, the G20’s official business engagement forum, paving the way for actionable outcomes ahead of the G20 Summit in November.
(G20 Leaders’ Summit: 22–23 November 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa)
Judicial leaders at the J20 are driving conversations on reform, cooperation, and justice. G20 2025: J20 Summit 2025 Advancing Global Policy Reform and Collaboration. See how their influence shapes global policy at the G20 Summit.
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What is the B20 Summit?
The B20 (Business 20) is the official dialogue forum representing the global business community within the G20 framework. It acts as an advisory mechanism, developing policy recommendations on business-related issues to the G20 leaders. The B20 fosters collaboration on economic, environmental, and social challenges, balancing growth with sustainability goals.
South Africa’s Strategic Role in B20 2025
Hosting the B20 places South Africa at the centre of global economic discussions. The event aligns with the country’s presidency of the G20, scheduled to coincide with the main G20 summit. This is from 22 to 23 November 2025 in Johannesburg. This opportunity allows South Africa to shape an agenda that reflects African priorities while contributing to global solutions.
B20 Recommendations Event in Johannesburg
On 4 September 2025, Johannesburg hosted the pivotal B20 Recommendations Handover Event. At this event, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Roland Lamola, delivered a keynote address. Minister Lamola highlighted the urgency and determination needed to implement the B20 recommendations. He stressed that the real work begins after November with collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society.
He emphasised Africa’s critical demographic and economic shifts, notably the necessity of value addition to critical minerals, digital transformation, and youth employment. The Minister called for beneficiation, localisation, and technology transfer to foster sustainable jobs and resilient economies in Africa.
The address also focused on narrowing the digital divide and preparing youth for green and digital jobs. Additionally, it advanced Africa’s reindustrialisation in ways that benefit future generations. The event reinforced South Africa’s commitment to driving inclusive, sustainable economic growth, tackling inequality, and harnessing Africa’s vast potential for the global good.
Key Themes Prioritised: B20 Task Force Priorities
The B20 South Africa 2025 Summit is powered by eight specialised Task Forces. They develop business-led, actionable policy proposals for the G20. Comprised of leaders across sectors and regions, these groups reflect diversity and expert collaboration. They are focused on inclusive growth, sustainability, and innovation.
Digital Transformation
- Promotes digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. It also advances smart infrastructure and digital trade to enhance global competitiveness.
Employment and Education
- Targets youth job creation and skills development, aligning education with workforce needs. This ensures inclusive access to training for green, digital, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Energy Mix and Just Transition
- Drives policy to accelerate renewable energy adoption, improve energy security, and promote green innovations. It also ensures the transition is equitable and sustainable.
Finance and Infrastructure
- Focuses on innovative financing, closing infrastructure gaps, and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This is achieved through improved access to credit and integration into global value chains.
Industrial Transformation and Innovation
- Advocates for industrial modernisation, enhanced manufacturing capacity, and sustainable development to boost productivity, resilience, and equitable growth in emerging markets.
Integrity and Compliance
- Works to curb corruption, encourage transparency, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and foster responsible business conduct critical for trust and growth.
Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture
- Promotes sustainable farming, resilient supply chains, and equitable access to nutritious food, positioning Africa as a climate-smart agricultural leader.
Trade and Investment
- Seeks to remove trade barriers and encourage sustainable investment. It also expands SME access to financing, international markets, and value chains to enhance global commerce.
Together, these task forces offer a comprehensive blueprint reinforcing Africa’s global economic leadership role. They support the B20’s vision for resilient, equitable, and sustainable development.
Summit Activities and Participation
Over three days, the summit will feature high-level discussions, workshops, and policy development sessions. Business leaders, government officials, and experts across sectors will lead these sessions. Twenty-three task forces focused on diverse topics such as digital economy, gender equality, and supply chain resilience will present actionable policy proposals.
Impact on South Africa and the Continent
The B20 Summit is expected to deliver tangible benefits for South Africa and wider Africa by:
- Raising the continent’s voice and interests in global economic governance.
- Showcasing South Africa as a hub for sustainable investment and business innovation.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships to create jobs and support economic recovery.
- Inspiring African youth participation in global economic opportunities.
2025 B20 Summit: Advancing Change
The B20 Recommendations Event sets the foundation for the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for 22–23 November 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Anticipation builds around the summit’s potential to accelerate inclusive growth and sustainable development pathways. The B20 2025 initiative will be a critical milestone in forging a resilient, equitable global economic future aligned with African development goals.
- Dates: 18–20 November 2025
- Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Broader Global Cooperation
The B20 complements ongoing efforts by the G20 members to confront economic uncertainties and post-pandemic recovery challenges. It also addresses climate risks. It does so by prioritising green business-led solutions, the summit serves as a bridge between government policies and private sector innovation necessary for sustainable development.
