News Briefs 06 June 2025
South Africa’s G20 Presidency
G20 TechSprint 2025 & The South African Reserve Bank Voice on Regulation and Innovation
In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara, sits down with Lyle Horsley, Head of Fintech at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), to unpack South Africa’s leadership in the G20 TechSprint 2025—and what it means for digital finance across the continent.
As co-host with the Bank for International Settlements, the South African Reserve Bank is spotlighting trust and integrity in scalable, open finance. Horsley discusses the evolving role of central banks, the urgency of regulation-innovation collaboration, and Africa’s opportunity to leap forward.
G20 TechSprint Comes to Africa
This year’s TechSprint marks its African debut under South Africa’s G20 presidency, centred on trust and integrity in open finance. Horsley calls it a chance for regulators to explore how tech can solve real policy challenges. Previous editions addressed global priorities such as digital currencies and cross-border payments. This time, Africa takes the lead.
“This year’s TechSprint is exciting because it’s the first time it’s held in Africa, and we’re honoured that South Africa is hosting. Our TechSprint focuses on trust and integrity in scalable, open finance, which we see as foundational pillars for the financial system.” – Lyle Horsley, Head of Fintech, South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
Tech Africa News 05 June 2025
Africa Day Reflections Anchor Opening of Third G20 Development Working Group Meeting
Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa, officially opened the Third G20 Development Working Group (DWG) meeting on 25 May 2025. Held in Zimbali, KwaZulu-Natal, the opening coincided meaningfully with Africa Day, offering a symbolic backdrop for the Minister’s reflections on the continent’s developmental trajectory and its leadership within global multilateral platforms.
In her opening address, Minister Ramokgopa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to advancing inclusive development and strengthening global cooperation, particularly from the perspective of the Global South.
“On this Africa Day, we reaffirm the continent’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development and multilateralism,” she said. “South Africa’s G20 Presidency is not just a position of leadership — it is a call to action to ensure that development is just, equitable and responsive to the needs of the Global South.”
The three-day meeting brought together representatives of G20 Member States, invited countries, and international organisations for comprehensive deliberations on key global development issues. Central themes included accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening the provision of global public goods, and addressing persistent structural inequalities.
The Minister emphasised the importance of centring African voices and solutions in global discourse:
“Africa has always been a site of innovation, resistance and hope. As we meet under South Africa’s Presidency, we are reminded that solutions must be shaped by those most affected – and by voices that have long been sidelined.”
G20.org 28 May 2025
South Africa Positions G20 Presidency as Pivotal for the Continent
When the presidency of the Group of 20 rotated to South Africa last year, the government quickly embraced the opportunity to highlight the country’s assets and advocate for an ‘African agenda’. In November, leaders of G20 members – 19 of the largest developing and developed countries, the European Union and African Union – will convene in Johannesburg for the two-day annual summit, for the first time on the African continent.
“This highlights the growing importance of the continent in global economic, political and environmental discussions,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told G20 Foreign Ministers in February. “The Summit’s location underscores the need for African voices to be heard on critical global issues, such as sustainable development, the digital economy and the shift toward green energy,” he said. “It is a great opportunity to promote greater collaboration between African nations and the rest of the world.”
South Africa has chosen as the G20 theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” and has set four priorities for its Presidency:
- disaster resilience and response,
- debt sustainability for low-income countries,
- finance for a just energy transition, and
- critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The government is also coordinating task forces focusing on inclusive growth and reduced inequality, food security and using AI for sustainable development, as well as an initiative on critical minerals to prioritise increased investment in exploration and beneficiation.
Spearheading the country’s G20 promotion effort is the official marketing agency, Brand South Africa. In an interview with AllAfrica’s Nontobeko Mlambo, Brand SA CEO Neville Matjie described his organisation as “custodian of protecting the brand” with outreach initiatives that are both global and local. Martjie was appointed CEO in February. He previously headed the trade and inward investment promotion agency for KwaZulu-Natal province and is a graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal with a Master of Science from Edinburgh Napier University. In the interview, he stressed the crucial role for South African citizens “to fly the flag” by supporting national sports teams, buying locally produced products and sharing the country’s natural assets with the world. “We’ve got to educate people about our country,” he said. He also emphasised that South Africa is hosting the G20 Summit as the continent’s representative, echoing what Ramaphosa has said since assuming the G20 presidency in November. The interview with Matjie has been edited for clarity.
AllAfrica 29 May 2025
South Africa Hosts Second G20 Education Working Group Meeting
The North West Province of South Africa hosted the second G20 Education Working Group Meeting, as part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency for 2025. This is reported by the official website of the South African Government.
MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane, welcomed the delegates:
“Hosting the G20 Education Working Group in the North West is a proud moment for our province and a strategic opportunity to position ourselves as a destination for international cooperation, investment, and cultural exchange.”
She also highlighted that while education remains central to the discussions, the event opens broader opportunities: “Our education systems must be inclusive, our economies resilient, and our partnerships rooted in mutual respect.”
The G20 Education Working Group’s mandate is to reinforce education systems to be more inclusive, adaptive, and responsive to current socio-economic challenges.
TV BRICS 30 May 2025