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The South African

EXPLAINER: About the B20 Task Forces

The B20 Task Forces are the strategic engine of B20 South Africa, responsible for developing business-driven, actionable policy recommendations to be presented to the G20. Each Task Force is comprised of global business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics and civil society representatives, collectively committed to advancing inclusive growth and sustainable development. Guided by a diverse leadership structure – comprising of Chairs, Deputy Chairs and Co-Chairs – these platforms reflect regional, sectoral and gender diversity. Through expert consultations, stakeholder dialogues, and collaborative drafting, the Task Forces are on track to deliver robust policy proposals that reflect global imperatives, cementing B20 South Africa's role as bridge between business, policy and shared prosperity. This Task Force will focus on enhancing global trade flows, removing barriers to market access, and encouraging sustainable investments that benefit businesses of all sizes. Of particular importance will be initiatives to empower small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by improving their access to financing, international markets, and value chains. Chair: Busi Mabuza – IDC Deputy-Chair: Mmakgoshi Lekhethe – IDC Co-Chairs: Nardos Bekele-Thomas – Africa Union Development Agency – New Partnerships for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Professor. Benedict Oramah – Afreximbank Duncan Wanblad – Anglo American Mary Vilakazi – FirstRand Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem – DP World José Serrador – Embraer Mpumi Madisa – Bidvest Group Dr. Patrik Kovacs – Business at OECD Harsha Agarwal – Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Dr. Miao Janmin – China Merchants Group Limited 4 Barbara Cimmino – Confindustria David Roth – Amazon H.E. Wamkele Mene – African Continental Free Trade Area This Task Force will focus on promoting inclusive job creation, addressing skills gaps, and aligning education systems with future workforce needs. This task force will develop policies to foster innovation in workforce development and drive equitable access to education and training. Chair: Paul Hanratty – Sanlam Deputy-Chair: Shadi Chauke – Sanlam Co-Chairs: Asif Valley – Microsoft Professor Haroon Bhorat – Sygnia Ltd Saïd Alj – Sanam Holding Dr. K.P. Krishnan – Shriram Capital Private Limited Mary-Alice Vuicic – Thomson Reuters Nicola Galombik – Yellowwoods Holdings Renate Hornung-Draus – International Organization of Employers Leila Fourie – Johannesburg Stock Exchange This Task Force will address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: driving a just, sustainable, and inclusive energy transition. Its mission is to develop bold, actionable policy recommendations that accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, strengthen energy security, foster innovation in green technologies, and support global climate resilience efforts. Chair: Daniel Mminele – Nedbank Deputy-Chair: Shamini Harrington – Minerals Council South Africa Co-Chairs: Simon Baloyi – Sasol Leslie Maasdorp – British International Investment Dan Marokane – Eskom Holdings Dipak Patel – South African Presidential Climate Commission 5 Roger Martella – GE Vernova Peter Njenga – Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) Paolo Scaroni – Enel Catherine Koffman – Green Climate Fund This Task Force will develop recommendations to advance digital inclusion, enhance cybersecurity, and foster innovation in emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. Its work will also explore enabling policies for smart infrastructure and digital trade. Chair: Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa – Naspers Deputy-Chair: Bassim Haidar – BH Holdings Group Co-Chairs: Charles Murito – Google Lauren Dreyer – Space X Lord Karan Bilimoria – International Chamber of Commerce Shameel Joosub – Vodacom Sir Mohamed Mansour – Mansour Group Smriti Irani – The Alliance for Global Good- Gender Equity and Equality (AGG-GEE) Kate Purchase – Microsoft Ling Hai – Mastercard Segun Ogunsanya – Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation Shalini Khemka – E2Exchange This Task Force will develop recommendations to combat corruption, enhance transparency, and foster robust compliance systems. The focus will include aligning global regulatory frameworks and encouraging responsible business conduct. Chair: Ruwayda Redfearn – Deloitte Africa Deputy-Chair: Ashleigh Theophanides – Deloitte Africa Co-Chairs: Maria Archimbal – Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales (YPF, SA) Nicola Allocca – OECD Business Group Caroline Lee – International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Dr. Futhi Mtoba – Non-Executive Director Mary Obasi – Bank of America Farzana Mohomed – NEOM Yılmaz Argüden – ARGE Consulting Reynaldo Goto – BRF Brazil Keki Mistry – Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Uche Ike – United Bank for Africa This Task Force will focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving supply chain resilience, and ensuring equitable access to nutritious food. Chair: Debra Mallowah – Bayer Deputy-Chair: Midred Pita – Bayer Co-Chairs: Alice Ruhweza – AGRA Emily Rees – Crop Life International Nicole Roos – Nestle Seelan Gobalsamy – Omnia Group Yasmin Masithela – ABSA Group This Task Force will focus on driving innovation in financing models, ensuring greater inclusivity in financial systems, and addressing infrastructure gaps critical to economic growth. Particular attention will be given to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by removing financial barriers, expanding access to affordable credit, and fostering their integration into global markets. Chair: Sim Tshabalala – Standard Bank Group Deputy-Chair: Lungisa Fuzile – Standard Bank Group Co-Chairs: Daniel Pinto – JPMorgan Chase 6 Anne Richards – Fidelity International Samaila Zubairu – Africa Finance Corporation Luciana Ribeiro – eB Climate & eBCapital John W.H. Denton – International Chamber of Commerce Strive Masiyiwa – Econet Global Benjamin Hung – Standard Chartered Thierry Déau – Meridiam Andrew Torre – VISA Gianluca Riccio – Business at OECD (BIAC) & Lloyd's Banking Group This Task Force will focus on modernising industrial sectors, strengthening manufacturing capacity, and promoting sustainable development across industries. It will explore innovative approaches to enhance productivity, improve resilience, and encourage investment in emerging markets, fostering equitable growth and development. Chair: Andrew Kirby – Toyota Deputy-Chair: Nigel Ward – Toyota Co-Chairs: Delphine Traoré – Sanlam Allianz Nádia Júnia Almeida de Souza – Khenē Brazil Shinta Kamdani – Sintesa Group Dany Qian Jin – JinkoSolar Stephen Saad – Aspen Pharmaceuticals Yemi Ahouanmenou – Benin Textile NOTE: More Co-chairs are expected to join throughout the B20 South Africa Presidency Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.