In 2025, South Africa hosted the first-ever G20 and B20 Presidency led from Africa. Guided by the theme “Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity through Global Cooperation,” B20 South Africa is committed to driving collaboration between advanced economies and emerging markets, ensuring that growth benefits people everywhere.
The B20 South Africa 2025 Summit in Johannesburg (18–20 November 2025) was the culmination of this historic year, a global platform to amplify the B20 Recommendations and connect international perspectives with Africa’s leadership moment.
Extract of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, South Africa 2025 Programme
24/11 G20 Flagship Initiative on Food Security Meeting
- Programme Director: Dr Petronella Chaminuka: Executive Manager: Research Support and Coordination.
- Dr. Litha Magingxa, CEO and President of the Agricultural Research Council
- H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (Video)
- Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Co-Chair Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security and Executive Director Crop Trust (Video)
- H.E. Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Chair, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 Presidency (Video)
- Dr. Martin Fregene, Acting Vice President, Agriculture, Human & Social Development, African
- Development Bank (Video)
- Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary-General of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security - Framing Presentation – The Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security in the G20 Context:
- H.E. Mr. John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, South Africa - G20 Outcomes
- Moderator: Mr. Declan Kirrane, Africa-Europe Science Collaboration Platform (AERAP) and Managing Director, UN Science Summit
- H.E. Ms. Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA
- Mr. Mooketsa Ramasodi, Director-General: Department of Agriculture, South Africa
- Dr. Linda Mtwisha, Group Executive, Research and Innovation, Agricultural Research Council
- Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, Director-General, International Livestock Research Institute
- Mr. Gideon Hefer, Executive Council Member, CropLife South Africa
- Mr. Brian Weaving, Head of Business Development, SASA Finance
Extracts of the B20 programme
21/11 Africa’s Agricultural Transformation: Trade, Innovation and Resilience
21 November 2025. On the sidelines of the B20Summit, AGRA hosted a pivotal side event focused on the B20 Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture Task Force. The theme was: "Accelerating action on partnerships for Africa's agricultural future."
It drilled down into how public-private partnerships can practically unlock Africa's agricultural potential. By aligning global business strategies with local priorities, we can drive the sustainable transformation the continent needs.
The event stressed that time is tight — Africa must utilise the coming growing seasons to seize food-system gains. Three “levers” for transformation included:
- Unlocking intra-African agricultural trade (reducing export barriers, improving regional
markets). - Building resilient regional supply chains (processing, cold-chains, logistics, infrastructure).
- Scaling sustainable agriculture for smallholder-based systems (supporting 70 %+ of food production on the continent).
Smallholder farmers central: The narrative emphasised that while commercial agriculture exists, change hinges on supporting smallholder (often female-led) producers with better finance, inputs, market access.
Business & private-sector role: The Task Force work was business-driven, with private-sector insights feeding into policy recommendations. “We handed our insights to policy makers with a sense of partnership and urgency.
Background
Debra Mallowah, Bayer Africa Head for Crop Science and chairperson of the B20 Task Force on Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture, delivered a message that urgently called for action.
Agriculture remains the backbone of many economies – powering livelihoods, nourishing communities, and fuelling trade. But this sector now stands at a crossroads, threatened by environmental change, rising input costs, and supply chain volatility. At the same time, it holds immense potential to drive sustainable development, particularly across Africa. This Task Force is focused on four priority areas:
- Enhancing Labour and Capital Productivity:
- Unlocking innovation and investment to improve yields, integrate value chains, and create jobs, particularly for Africa’s growing workforce.
- Ensuring Climate Resilience and Improving Livelihoods:
- Promoting climate-smart practices, inclusive financing, and technologies that reduce risk and increase food security for small-scale farmers.
Accelerating and Enabling Trade: Strengthening regional trade and agro-processing infrastructure to reduce costs, cut losses, and link farmers to new markets.
Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Scaling regenerative approaches, digital tools, and context-specific sustainability standards that work for producers and the planet.
19/11 Global South and Global North Conversation: Getting Global Cooperation Right in the Next Era of Global Change
- Charles R. Johnston – Managing Director, Citi Global Government Affairs; Chair, Business & Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD).
- Alexia Latortue – Distinguished Non-Resident Fellow, Centre for Global Development.
- Trevor Manuel – Chairperson & Independent Non-executive Director, Board for Old Mutual; Chair, G20 Africa Expert Panel.
- Jacqueline Mugo – Executive Director & CEO, Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE); President, International Organisation of Employers (IOE).
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