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What is the G20 & B20 ?
The G20 is the world’s leading forum for international economic cooperation, bringing together major economies to shape policies that influence global financial stability, trade, and development. With South Africa assuming the presidency—the first African country to do so—the focus turns to the continent’s developmental agenda. Key priorities include strengthening disaster resilience and response, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilising finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The B20 serves as the private sector’s voice within the G20, providing businesses with a platform to contribute to global economic and trade discussions.
Absa's central role in both the G20 and B20
Absa has partnered with B20 South Africa as a Diamond Sponsor, and a Gold Sponsor for G20, playing an active role in shaping economic policy and amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage.
In collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), we will connect with policymakers, business leaders, and international stakeholders to contribute to discussions that influence the continent’s economic trajectory. Together, these partnerships reflect our commitment to unlocking opportunities that advance Africa’s growth—in line with our promise of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.
With our deep market expertise and pan-African presence, we are harnessing these partnerships to ensure that global policies translate into real opportunities for the businesses, industries, and communities we serve. A key focus of our engagement is advocating for policies that expand access to finance for SMEs, empower women and young entrepreneurs, and accelerate regional integration and financial inclusion—essential drivers of a more inclusive and dynamic African economy.
What is the significance of the G20 and B20 for South Africa and Africa?
South Africa's G20 presidency represents a transformative moment for Africa on the global stage. As the first African country to host the event, it showcases the continent's readiness to lead, cooperate and collaborate on global challenges. The presidency, which began on 1 December 2024, focuses on the theme "Inclusive Growth and Prosperity through Global Cooperation".
B20, the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community, ensures that the perspectives of business are heard at the highest levels of international economic governance fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives can drive impactful change. We believe that all our interactions should reflect the belief that your story matters, and our partnership with the B20 is no different. Absa will be leading various task forces addressing critical issues such as trade enhancement, infrastructure development, and sustainable energy transitions. We will contribute to drive policy recommendations that will shape global economic decisions and showcase our commitment to economic development and excellence across African markets.
Throughout the year, we will be actively involved in various B20 initiatives, engaging in policy discussions and formulation, and contributing to the development of recommendations through specialised task forces.
Absa’s G20 Task Force and Working Group Members
Several Absa leaders have been appointed to a range of G20 Task Forces and Working Groups. These appointments underscore our commitment to contributing meaningfully to global economic discussions while advancing our organisational strategic pillars in alignment with the G20's core mandate of promoting strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.
Our leaders will play pivotal roles in various task forces, collaborating closely with relevant working groups to ensure alignment with G20 strategic priorities.
Johnson Idesoh, our Chief Information and Technology Officer, will be driving innovation and sustainable development in the Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation for Sustainable Development Task Force.
In the Food Security Task Force, Sanah Gumede, Managing Executive: Strategy and Customer Value, and Abrie Rautenbach, Managing Executive Client Coverage, will focus on ensuring food security and resilience.
Punki Modise, Group Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, and Dr. Steven Zwane, Managing Executive: Corporate Citizenship, will contribute to the Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reduced Equality Task Force, promoting inclusive growth and industrialisation.
Our working group members will also bring their expertise to various critical areas:
- Agriculture Working Group: Abrie Rautenbach, Executive: Absa AgriBusiness
- Climate & Environmental Sustainability Working Group: Msizi Khoza, Managing Executive: CIB ESG, and Izaäk Coetzee, Head: Strategic Insights and Analytics
- Digital Economy Working Group: Thato Motolong, Chief Information Officer, Technology and Operations, and Sidwell Mokhemisa, Head: Payments Technology
- Employment and Education Working Group: Nonhlanhla Magagula, Head: Corporate Citizenship Youth Employability, and Dr. Rean Immelman, Head: Education Delivery
- Energy Transitions Working Group: Msizi Khoza, Managing Executive: CIB ESG
- Financial Architecture Working Group: Miyelani Maluleke, Senior Economist, and Ridle Markus, Senior Economist
- Sustainable Finance Working Group: Stephen Seaka, Managing Executive: Public Sector and GCS
- Trade and Investment Working Group: Michelle Knowles, Managing Executive: Trade & Working Capital, Pan Africa and Ronnie Mbatsane, Business Executive RB
- Women Empowerment Working Group: Jeanett Modise, Group Chief Human Capital Officer and Mpho Nhlabathi, Head: Citizenship Strategy and Partnership
Absa’s participation in these forums will bring valuable perspectives to global policy discussions, ensuring that the outcomes are aligned with the G20 Presidency theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.