Partnerships for Progress: SABII Launch Signals a New Chapter for South Africa’s Businesses

Johannesburg, 17 November 2025 – On any given morning in South Africa, a young entrepreneur opens her small logistics start-up not knowing whether the power will stay on long enough to meet a delivery deadline. A farm worker in Limpopo wonders if unpredictable rainfall will again wipe out the harvest that feeds his family. A recent graduate in Mamelodi scrolls through job boards, navigating a labour market that feels distant, exclusive, and unforgiving.

Their realities, mirroring the struggles and hopes of millions, set the backdrop for the launch of the South Africa Business Initiative for Impact (SABII), a new bridge between business, government, and the United Nations.

SABII was launched as a B20 side event during South Africa’s G20 Presidency, marking a landmark collaboration between the UN in South Africa, Naspers South Africa, the UN Global Compact South Africa Network, and B20 South Africa.

As the national anchor for the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), SABII brought the momentum of the “Unstoppable Africa” movement to South Africa, uniting the UN and business leaders to drive tangible progress in four key areas: Energy Transition for Economic Security, Digitization for Inclusive Growth, Human Capital Development for Shared Prosperity, and Food Systems Transformation for Resilient Livelihoods. More than just a launch, SABII served as a call to action, an invitation to rethink partnerships, rebuild trust, and envision a future where development was powered not only by policy, but by people.

Opening the event, Ms Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers, framed SABII’s mission around the lived experiences of ordinary South Africans. She emphasized that success must extend beyond companies to benefit communities, and that young people should encounter opportunities not obstacles in the digital and economic landscape. Drawing on the spirit of the “Unstoppable Africa” movement, she positioned SABII as a platform amplifying historically marginalized African voices in global growth conversations.

UN in South Africa Resident Coordinator, Nelson Muffuh, urged translating ambition into measurable action as South Africa assumed its G20 presidency. His message was reinforced by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, speaking via video, who stressed that partnerships must deliver results. She highlighted the critical role of finance in fostering inclusive growth, noting that a prosperous Africa strengthens global prosperity. 

• “Let us make SABII a living example of what collective leadership can achieve. Let us ensure this platform delivers results that matter not just for South Africa, but for the continent. And let us keep SABII connected to global frameworks like GABI and the G20 priorities, so that our national efforts amplify Africa’s voice on the world stage.” - UN in South Africa Resident Coordinator, Nelson Muffuh

B20 Sherpa Mr Cas Coovadia offered a sober, pragmatic perspective on the global economic landscape. With geopolitical instability and a fragmented global order, he argued, collaboration is no longer optional. Businesses must track commitments, ensure implementation follows recommendations, and align priorities across borders making partnership both an economic necessity and a pathway to inclusive, sustainable growth, he said.

The UN Assistant Secretary-General and the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, declared, “This moment matters,” challenging the outdated narrative of Africa as a passive aid recipient. Highlighting African innovation from the Takealot Data Hub to the Timbuktu Innovation Initiative she emphasized that Africa’s creativity and competence are now benchmarks shaping global markets.

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact, amplified Africa’s business narrative by stressing the power of narrative and collaboration. African business must be amplified, not merely appended. SABII, she noted, is more than a platform it is a vehicle to reshape how Africa’s business story is told to the world.

The SABII launch convened a powerhouse of thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to discuss Africa’s most pressing development frontiers, from digital transformation and green energy to human capital and climate-smart agriculture, sparking bold conversations on how the continent can harness its potential for inclusive, sustainable growth.

Digitization: Sustaining Livelihoods in an increasingly digital world 

The first panel focused on how digital access is transforming everyday life and the economy. Speakers from Takealot, McKinsey Africa, and the Ministry of Small Business Development highlighted a crucial point: technology is becoming one of the most powerful tools for reducing inequality. 

Digital platforms are already helping small businesses reach new markets and giving young people new income opportunities. The panel also stressed that this future must be accessible to everyone. That means affordable data, reliable connectivity, and digital skills that match the jobs of tomorrow. They also warned against over-regulation of platform work. Instead, South Africa needs smart, balanced policies that protect workers while still allowing innovation to grow.

Energy Transition: Green Mobility 

The second panel turned to the realities of South Africa’s energy transition. With experts from renewable energy companies, mobility platforms, and green technology, the conversation made one thing clear: the shift to clean energy is not just environmental, it is economic.

Electric vehicles, renewable power, and green mobility can reshape entire industries, create new jobs, and make South Africa more competitive globally. But to make that shift possible, the country needs the right incentives, easier access to finance, and support for black-owned energy businesses trying to enter this fast-growing sector. Panelists also stressed that the transition must be fair. South Africans who depend on traditional transport and energy systems must not be left behind.

Human Capital Development: Investing in Skills Development

Another important discussion centres on youth development, skills, and the future of work. Leaders from government, academia, and youth development organisations agreed that South Africa’s greatest competitive advantage is its young population.

But this advantage only becomes real when young people have skills that match a rapidly changing Labour market. Speakers called for modernized training systems, stronger digital skills programmes, and more support for young women, who face even greater barriers. They also emphasized the need for fair and evidence-based systems that ensure young people benefit from new opportunities.

Food Systems Transformation and Climate-Smart Agriculture

The conversation on food systems and climate-smart agriculture reminded everyone that food security is directly linked to climate security. As South Africa faces more frequent droughts, floods, and climate shocks, farmers need more support.

Experts called for investments in climate-resistant crops, better farming technologies, and supply chains that can withstand extreme weather. This shift is not only about protecting food; it is about protecting livelihoods across rural and urban communities.

Across all the panels, a clear message emerged: South Africa’s progress depends on partnership, intentional inclusion, and bold reimagining. Government, business, civil society, and the UN must work together to unlock opportunities across the digital, green, and agricultural economies, ensuring that youth, women, and marginalized communities are not just participants, but beneficiaries. Innovation must extend beyond technology to a new mindset, one willing to redesign old systems, embrace new models, and position Africa not as an observer, but as an active leader in global development conversations.

The SABII programme demonstrated that South Africa possesses the ideas, expertise, and leadership to drive meaningful change, but what is now required is coordinated, measurable action that puts people at the center of progress. From digital transformation and green mobility to climate-smart agriculture, the path forward is clear: transformation must be partnership-driven, inclusive, and grounded in shared responsibility. 

Closing the event, Dr. Leila Fourie, CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, reminded attendees that thriving societies create thriving markets, a message that captured the spirit of the day. More than a launch, SABII represents a platform for collective action, a new chapter in South Africa’s social and economic renewal, and a renewed commitment to elevating Africa’s voice, strengthening public-private cooperation, and ensuring inclusive development lies at the heart of national progress.