B20 Legacy Initiatives are long-term programmes designed to ensure that the impact of the B20 extends far beyond the South African presidency. These initiatives create platforms, tools, and networks that scale the B20’s work on global priorities, including Mining and Critical Minerals; Food, Climate & Sustainability; Education & the Future of Work; and Entrepreneurship.
Download the full suite of B20 South Africa Legacy Initiatives and learn how these African-led contributions are driving global progress.
B20 South Africa Legacy Initiatives: building continuity, cooperation and impact
As B20 South Africa, we champion these B20 Legacy Initiatives, ensuring each Presidency’s work delivers lasting impact. Our focus is on turning recommendations into tangible outcomes by scaling proven initiatives and launching new ones that reflect emerging global business priorities.
Approach
There are three legacy initiative pillars:
- From B20 for B20: reinforcing governance, institutional knowledge and continuity
- From B20 for Society: delivering scalable, solution-driven initiatives that promote sustainable, inclusive growth
- From B20 for the Host Nation: embedding long-term economic and social value within South Africa and the wider African region
Eleven B20 South Africa legacy initiatives
As a result of this process, eleven initiatives have been selected to continue as part of the B20 legacy initiative portfolio, including pre-existing initiatives and new, compelling proposals. B20 South Africa’s 2025 Legacy Initiatives are anchored in six interconnected themes that capture global imperatives for sustainable, inclusive growth, and also hone in on specific opportunities for Africa.
1. B20 Collaboration on Critical Minerals in Africa – a Securing Energy for the Energy Transition (SMET) initiative
World Economic Forum - From B20 for Society
Co-delivered with the World Economic Forum and B20, this initiative seeks to unlock investment and coordination across Africa’s critical minerals value chain. It will produce a flagship publication, host a B20 Summit workshop, engage private companies in mining, financiers, academics and policymakers to align financing and regulatory frameworks, positioning Africa as a strategic, responsible partner in global energy transition supply chains.
2. Transforming Mining-Dependent Economies into Sustainable Economic Hubs
Minerals Council South Africa - From B20 for the Host Nation
This initiative addresses the socioeconomic challenges of mine closure by turning legacy infrastructure into platforms for new industries. Led by the Minerals Council South Africa with project support from Anglo American and Sasol, it proposes regional transition blueprints and investment compacts to spur renewable energy, agri-processing and services in former mining regions, transforming post-mining economies into thriving, sustainable communities. It proposes a framework to scale existing pilots to spur renewable energy, agri-processing and services in former mining regions, transforming post-mining economies into thriving, sustainable communities.
3. South African Food Loss and Waste Initiative
Nestle Eastern and Southern Africa, Consumer Goods Council of South Africa - From B20 for the Host Nation
Anchored by Nestlé Eastern and Southern Africa and the Consumer Goods Council, this project tackles food waste by creating continental reporting and best-practice platform. Working with the African Union and regional partners, it will harmonise data, redistribute surplus nutritious food and share scalable solutions to improve food security and supply-chain efficiency.
4. BloombergNEF Academy South Africa
BloombergNEF - From B20 for Society
Led and funded by BloombergNEF, this academy will train senior leaders from energy, finance and industry in low-carbon transition strategies. Combining online modules and in-person sessions, it develops Africa’s climate-leadership capacity and connects participants to a global BNEF network. The initiative will create a lasting community of sustainability-focused decision-makers advancing the net-zero economy.
5. Carbon Knowledge Hub for Carbon Market Insights
BloombergNEF - From B20 for Society
First launched under Indonesia’s 2022 B20 Presidency, the Carbon Knowledge Hub continues to advance transparency and knowledge in both compliance and voluntary carbon markets. Now expanded through B20 South Africa, it equips companies, investors, and policymakers with reliable data and analysis to strengthen market integrity, attract sustainable investment, and support Africa’s growing role in the global carbon economy.
6. Beyond Collaboration Platform
South Africa Breweries, Anglo American, Sasol, ABSA - From B20 for the Host Nation
The Beyond Collaboration Platform unites business, government and community partners to strengthen South Africa’s water and infrastructure resilience. By focusing on practical, scalable solutions for resource efficiency and climate adaptation, it fosters transparent public–private partnerships that enhance service delivery, safeguard essential resources and build long-term economic and environmental resilience.
7. Special Report on Youth, Women and SMMEs in Trade
Boston Consulting Group - From B20 for Society
Expanding on B20 Brazil’s Women in Trade legacy, this initiative focuses on youth and small enterprises. It identifies systemic barriers, such as limited trade finance, fragmented regulations, certification hurdles and proposes targeted reforms. Through research, dialogue, and training, it aims to harmonise non-tariff measures and empower women, youth and small businesses across export value chains.
8. Solutions Exchange on Youth Pathways to Earning
Yellowwoods Holdings, BUSA, BLSA - From B20 for Society
The Solutions Exchange on Youth Pathways to Earning will create a global platform for sharing models that tackle youth unemployment, inspired by South Africa’s SAYouth Network. Convened with partners, including the World Bank, it will connect governments, businesses and innovators to scale demand-led skilling, job matching and inclusive employment solutions across B20 and G20 economies.
9. ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship – TradeRoots Africa
International Chamber of Commerce - From B20 for Society
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Centre’s TradeRoots Africa programme will strengthen SME export readiness through webinars, accelerators and trade missions. By improving compliance, finance access and AfCFTA awareness, it enables women- and youth-led businesses to reach global markets and supports regional integration through entrepreneurship and innovation.
10. Reducing the Cost of Capital for Africa
Standard Bank Group, Oliver Wyman, Deloitte, Africa Practice - From B20 for Society
Aiming to lower Africa’s borrowing costs, the initiative focuses on enhancing data transparency, reforming credit ratings, and expanding blended finance solutions. By reducing risk perceptions and unlocking affordable capital, it accelerates infrastructure investment, stimulates job creation and drives inclusive, sustainable growth — ensuring Africa’s development is financed competitively and on its own terms.
11. From South Africa to the U.S. and Beyond
WINGS global philanthropy network, Standard Bank South Africa - From B20 for B20
Bridging business and philanthropy, this initiative creates formal mechanisms for philanthropic engagement within the B20 process. It will convene global leaders to design collaborative investment frameworks and long-term partnerships extending into the 2026 U.S. Presidency, aligning catalytic capital with private-sector innovation.