Launch of the South African Business Initiative for Impact (SABII)

Naspers and the United Nations in South Africa will host the official launch of the South African Business Initiative for Impact (SABII) on Monday, 17 November 2025, at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton.

Inspired by the success of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI)—launched by the United Nations in New York under the banner “Unstoppable Africa”—SABII will mark a new chapter in advancing sustainable development and inclusive growth during South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

The initiative will bring together the power of business innovation, government policy, and UN expertise to accelerate progress on the country’s most urgent development priorities. SABII will focus on four strategic areas:

• Digitization for inclusive growth
• Energy transition for economic security
• Climate-smart agriculture for resilient livelihoods
• Human capital development for shared prosperity

The event will feature key speakers including Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers South Africa; Nelson Muffuh, UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa; Cas Coovadia, B20 Sherpa; and Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact South Africa Network, with a video message from UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

Distinguished panelists will include Ralph Mupita, CEO of MTN Group; Fred Zietsman, CEO of Takealot Group; Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies; Prof Morris Mthombeni, Director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science; Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, MEC for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; and Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber.

SABII aims to translate global business recommendations into measurable local impact, ensuring that South Africa’s leadership on the world stage delivers tangible benefits at home. Designed as a year-round platform, not a one-day event, SABII will convene working groups to track progress on commitments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and South Africa’s National Development Plan.

As South Africa steps into its historic role as the first African nation to hold the G20 Presidency, the launch of SABII will underscore the country’s resolve to mobilize partnerships that create shared prosperity and lasting impact.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, 17 November 2025
Venue: Johannesburg Stock Exchange, 2 Gwen Lane, Sandton
Time: 8 am – 11 am