As the world grapples with economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, food insecurity, climate change and the urgent need for sustainable development, the role of Africa \u2014 both the private and public sectors \u2014 in shaping global solutions is critical.<\/p>\n
This was the view of Anthony Costa, head of secretariat for B20 South Africa, based at Business Unity South Africa (Busa<\/a>), under South Africa\u2019s G20 presidency.<\/p>\n Costa spoke to the Mail & Guardian<\/em> ahead of the Africa CEO Forum 2025<\/a> that kicks off in Abidjan on Monday, where President Cyril Ramaphosa<\/a> is expected to speak at the opening ceremony.<\/p>\n Africa\u2019s largest private sector meeting, themed \u201cIt\u2019s time to strike a new deal: Can a new deal between state and private sector deliver the continent a winning hand?\u201d, will bring together 2300 business leaders, investors, policymakers and professionals from around the world. The two-day event includes seminars, debates and high-level meetings aimed to highlight the role of the private sector in the development of the continent.<\/p>\n The B20 \u2014 the official business group of the G20<\/a> \u2014 is designed to amplify the voice of the private sector and develop policy recommendations for the world\u2019s largest economies.<\/p>\n Costa previously worked in the Private Office of the Presidency leading the President\u2019s Investment Mobilisation Programme, and participated in several initiatives between government and the private sector.<\/p>\n He will participate in a session along with South African leaders such as Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa<\/a> , African Development Bank (AfDB) presidential candidate Swazi Tshabalala, Brand South Africa chief executive, Neville Matjie, the deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, Zuko Godlimpi, and RMB Corporate Client Group head Nana Phiri on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The session titled, \u201cUnlocking the AfCFTA [African Continental Free Trade Area] dividend through regional value chains and public private partnerships\u201d will showcase South Africa\u2019s strategic efforts to strengthen regional value chains through infrastructure and industrial development, foster multi-stakeholder public-private partnerships and to leverage the country\u2019s G20 and B20<\/a> presidencies to attract sustainable investment and drive inclusive growth.<\/p>\n As secretariat head, Costa coordinates a process that culminates in the B20 Summit, scheduled for 18 to 20 November in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n But the real work takes place ahead of summit, involving dozens of virtual and in-person meetings across eight task forces, each focused on a critical area for business policy. They are: finance and infrastructure, trade and investment, digital transformation, employment and education, integrity and compliance, energy mix and just transition, sustainable food systems and agriculture, industrial transformation and innovation.<\/p>\n Costa emphasised that the B20 was not just a South African or African process, but one rooted in the shared interests of the G20 nations.<\/p>\n With participants including the US Chamber of Commerce and multinational corporations, the B20 process provides a platform for global engagement \u2014 but one Costa believes must better represent African realities.<\/p>\n He said the US Chamber of Commerce remained committed to the B20 despite global jitters regarding President Donald Trump’s tariff wars. He said the tariff crisis had led to businesses realising the inherent risk in relying on a single supply chain and that diversification is vital.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve created a task force specifically focused on industrial transformation and innovation, because we believe there\u2019s an opportunity to redefine what manufacturing and economic growth can look like in the 21st century \u2014 not just metal and machinery, but advanced, diversified, sustainable systems,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Key to industrial development is moving beyond extraction toward beneficiation, where raw materials are processed and value is added locally.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about beneficiation for 25 years, but now we have a real opportunity,\u201d Costa said.<\/p>\n \u201cCritical minerals are central to the global energy transition, and Africa holds many of them. But we can\u2019t beneficiate everything in every country \u2014 we need smart policies that make economic sense, and intra-African trade is key to that.\u201d<\/p>\n