South African Business Initiative for Impact (SABII)

What is SABII?

The South African Business and Impact Initiative (SABII) is a national multi-stakeholder platform that mobilises business, government, finance, civil society and development partners to accelerate inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in South Africa. As the national anchor for the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), SABII connects South Africa’s development priorities with global investment, innovation and partnership opportunities.

SABII serves as a convening and action-oriented platform designed to unlock solutions to some of the country’s most pressing socio-economic challenges. By aligning policy, investment and innovation, SABII aims to drive measurable impact while strengthening South Africa’s leadership in advancing sustainable and inclusive development across Africa.

SABII’s Strategic Focus

SABII focuses on four interconnected pillars that respond directly to South Africa’s development needs while supporting global sustainability commitments.

Energy Transition

South Africa continues to face energy insecurity, high carbon emissions and limited access to clean transport infrastructure. While the country has strong industrial and manufacturing capabilities, progress towards green mobility and renewable energy adoption remains uneven.

SABII brings together government, industry leaders and financiers to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy and sustainable transport systems. By leveraging South Africa’s automotive manufacturing base and regional transport corridors, SABII supports efforts to decarbonise mobility while promoting industrial growth and job creation.

Through this pillar, SABII seeks to mobilise blended finance, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and promote investment in electric vehicles, public transport electrification and local battery production. The initiative aims to align industrial policy, infrastructure development and climate commitments to support South Africa’s just energy transition.

Digitisation

Despite high mobile connectivity, many South Africans—particularly those in rural and informal economies—remain excluded from the benefits of the digital economy. Limited digital skills, infrastructure gaps and unequal access to digital platforms continue to hinder participation in emerging economic opportunities.

SABII promotes inclusive digitisation by expanding access to digital livelihoods, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship opportunities. South Africa’s growing fintech sector and innovation ecosystem provide strong foundations to scale digital solutions that empower individuals and small enterprises.

Under this pillar, SABII supports national initiatives that expand digital skills training, strengthen connectivity, and promote inclusive digital platforms. Through partnerships across public and private sectors, the initiative works to ensure that digital transformation drives economic inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.

Human Capital Development

South Africa faces one of the world’s highest youth unemployment rates, driven in part by a disconnect between education systems and labour market demands. At the same time, social protection systems are under increasing pressure, and skills development initiatives often operate in isolation.

SABII provides a platform to align education, workforce development and social protection strategies. By bringing together leaders from business, government and civil society, SABII promotes coordinated and systemic solutions that prepare young people and vulnerable communities for the future of work.

The initiative supports the development of national skills and employment platforms that strengthen technical and vocational education, promote employer-led training programmes, and expand targeted support for vulnerable populations. SABII aims to ensure that human capital development becomes a driver of inclusive growth and economic resilience.

Food Systems Transformation

South Africa’s food systems face growing challenges from climate change, land degradation and persistent inequalities in access to nutritious food. While the country has strong agricultural and agro-processing sectors, smallholder farmers often face barriers to market access, finance and innovation.

SABII convenes agribusiness leaders, policymakers, development partners and research institutions to strengthen climate-resilient and inclusive food systems. The initiative promotes sustainable agricultural practices, supports smallholder farmer integration into value chains, and advances nutrition-sensitive food production.

Through innovation hubs and collaborative platforms, SABII works to pilot climate-smart agricultural solutions, strengthen regional trade opportunities, and enhance food security while promoting environmental sustainability and equitable economic participation.

SABII as South Africa’s Gateway to Global Impact

As the national anchor for the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), SABII plays a critical role in connecting local action with global development priorities. The initiative supports South Africa’s contribution to continental and global platforms by:

• Convening multi-sector partnerships that drive practical, scalable solutions.
• Mobilising investment and strengthening alignment between policy, industry and development priorities.
• Amplifying South Africa’s leadership in sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
• Delivering measurable outcomes aligned with global frameworks including G20 priorities and United Nations sustainable development commitments.

Building Partnerships for Impact

SABII recognises that sustainable development requires collective action. The initiative serves as a collaborative platform where partners can share expertise, co-create solutions and mobilise resources to address complex development challenges.

By fostering innovation, strengthening partnerships and aligning investments with national priorities, SABII aims to accelerate South Africa’s progress towards a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.

The South Africa Business Initiative for Impact (SABII) was officially launched on 17 November 2025 at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (Sandton), as a high- profile side event of the B20 Summit.

After the Applause: SABII Sets the Course for Action

Following its launch, the South African Business and Impact Initiative (SABII) is moving from vision to implementation, positioning itself as a national platform to translate partnerships into tangible progress for South Africans. Designed to bridge the gap between policy, business innovation and community realities, SABII’s next phase focuses on delivering practical solutions that directly improve livelihoods and economic opportunity.

At the centre of SABII’s implementation plan are four priority areas that respond to pressing national challenges. Energy transition is a key focus, aimed at strengthening energy security while supporting job creation through clean power, green mobility and sustainable energy industries. The initiative seeks to ensure that the shift to renewable energy supports workers, small businesses and transport sectors that depend on reliable and affordable power.

• Digitisation is another critical pillar, with SABII working to expand affordable connectivity, digital skills and online economic platforms. By strengthening access to digital opportunities, the initiative aims to unlock new livelihoods, particularly for young people and small enterprises operating in underserved communities.
• Human capital development remains central to SABII’s long-term impact. The initiative plans to support skills training aligned with labour market demands while expanding opportunities for youth, women and vulnerable groups. By strengthening pathways between education, training and employment, SABII aims to help address South Africa’s unemployment challenge.
• Food systems transformation also forms part of the implementation agenda, focusing on climate-smart agriculture and resilient food production. SABII aims to support farmers, protect food supply chains and strengthen national food security as climate pressures increasingly affect agricultural productivity.
• Partnerships are expected to drive SABII’s implementation. The initiative brings together business, government and the United Nations to coordinate investment, innovation and policy alignment. As South Africa continues to engage global partners, including through its G20 Presidency, SABII aims to position the country as a leader in inclusive and sustainable development.

While the official launch marked an important milestone, SABII’s success will ultimately be measured by its ability to deliver results that improve everyday lives — from reliable energy and digital access to jobs and food security. The initiative now enters a phase focused on sustained collaboration and action, ensuring that development commitments translate into real opportunities for communities across South Africa.

Photos of the launch: South African Business Initiative for Impact (SABII) | United Nations in South Africa

Articles and writeups on SABII

1. Bridging the digital divide to empower livelihoods | United Nations in South Africa
2. Why human capital development is South Africa’s greatest opportunity | United Nations in South Africa
3. SABII to bridge global ambition with local action in South Africa | United Nations in South Africa
4. After the Applause: What SABII means for everyday South Africans | United Nations in South Africa
5. Digitisation: Sustaining livelihoods in an increasingly digital world | United Nations in South Africa
6. Climate-Smart agriculture at the heart of South Africa’s food systems transformation | United Nations in South Africa
7. Why green mobility is central to South Africa’s Just Energy Transition | United Nations in South Africa
8. Africa’s Decade of Delivery is now - Amina Mohammed on SABII launch | United Nations in South Africa