South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its democratic and economic journey. Our G20 Presidency places the country back at the centre of the global economic conversation. Not as an observer, but as a contributor and an emerging force shaping the future.
As the world’s gaze turns to Johannesburg for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, our country is not simply hosting another global gathering; we are stepping into a new era of confidence, ambition and possibility.
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Fresh off the success of the G20 Social Summit and the B20 South Africa Summit, the nation has demonstrated its capacity to convene meaningful dialogue, to lead with purpose, and to bring the world together around shared priorities of stability, growth and inclusive development.
Renewed investor confidence
The timing of these summits could not have been more significant. Over the past year, South Africa has started to turn a corner on key economic indicators.
The country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list and the recent upgrade by S&P Global, signal growing confidence in South Africa’s governance, resilience and long-term prospects. These developments matter greatly for investors who seek not only opportunity, but credibility and consistency from the markets they enter.
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Tourism, one of the most visible markers of global confidence, has also surged. Between January and September 2025, South Africa welcomed over 7.6 million international visitors. An increase of more than 1.1 million compared to the same period in 2024.
Our strongest tourism growth source markets include the Middle East (+58%), Europe (+29%), Africa (+28%), North America (+22%), and Asia (+11%).
These travel statistics signal a country re-emerging on the world stage with renewed appeal, improved connectivity, and rising economic potential.
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Delivering real economic momentum
Even before the main summit begins, the economic impact is evident. Gauteng, one of Africa’s economic powerhouses, is already experiencing heightened activity with hotels almost at full capacity and an estimated R3.6 billion expected to flow into the visitor economy.
More importantly, this early surge reflects deeper confidence, extended business travel, increased corporate procurement, and multiple parallel events that expand the economic footprint well beyond the official summit dates and the host city of Johannesburg.
It is a proud demonstration of South Africa’s ability to host world-class gatherings that generate meaningful economic value and signal long-term opportunities for investors.
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For investors seeking evidence of South Africa’s future-facing capability: The breakthrough by Biovac, producing the country’s first ever locally manufactured cholera vaccine, is a powerful symbol that demonstrates what is possible when science, industry, and government work together.
This achievement marks South Africa’s advancement from vaccine packaging to full-scale vaccine manufacturing. It reflects the strength of partnerships between Biovac, the Human Sciences Research Council, the CSIR, and the Departments of Health and Science, Technology and Innovation.
More than a scientific milestone, it is a demonstration that South Africa can lead in complex, knowledge-based industries and generate solutions with continental and global impact.
Not a moment for complacency
While the world’s renewed confidence is encouraging, Brand South Africa recognises that momentum alone does not build prosperity. This is a moment that must be honoured through delivery, collaboration, and consistency.
As Busi Mavuso, a B20 South Africa advisory chair and CEO of Business Leadership SA, highlighted at the B20 Summit – trust is earned.
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It’s earned when the government strengthens accountability, and when business invests with courage. When partnerships are forged, not for optics, but for real impact.
South Africa has proven it can host, convene and lead. Now we must translate global engagement into sustained investment, accelerated growth, and job creation.
SA’s renewed African leadership
Our rising global profile is matched by a renewed recognition of its leadership role within the region.
At the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state, held on 7 November 2025, South Africa was appointed interim chairperson of SADC until August 2026.
This SADC appointment comes at a critical moment for Southern Africa and reinforces our country’s responsibility to drive stability, cooperation, and shared growth across the region.
Under this interim chairmanship, South Africa will continue to advance the Madagascar agenda, centred on industrialisation, agricultural transformation, and energy transition for a resilient SADC. The appointment follows Madagascar’s withdrawal from the chairship to prioritise domestic stabilisation efforts after recent civil unrest.
This moment underscores South Africa’s increasing credibility not only globally, but regionally. Demonstrating that our leadership, resilience, and collaborative approach remain essential to advancing Southern Africa’s long-term development and stability.
Future major events
South Africa is planning beyond the G20. Our calendar of major international events signals both readiness and aspirations.
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In 2027, the nation will host the Cricket World Cup, a global showcase that will once again attract thousands of visitors, create jobs across the value chain, and stimulate significant economic activity. We are also eyeing a F1 race return to South African soil.
Beyond that, cabinet has approved South Africa’s entry into continuous dialogue with the International Olympic Committee, marking the first step in exploring a bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This confidence from cabinet reinforces what Brand South Africa has long advocated: Ours is a nation with world-class infrastructure, proven hosting capability and a people whose warmth, energy and resilience make global moments truly unforgettable.
These ambitions are not merely about prestige. They signal belief; belief in South Africa’s future, belief in our economic direction, and belief that the world should increasingly see South Africa as a place to build, invest and grow.
Taking the message to the world
As we build on G20 momentum, Brand South Africa will continue its work to position the nation as a competitive, compelling and credible investment destination.
Our next major global engagement will be at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026, where Team South Africa will once again champion the message that this is a country on the rise, forging ahead confidently, rich with opportunity, and driven by a vision of shared prosperity.
South Africa’s story is shifting. We are moving from challenge to capability, from resilience to renewal, from hosting the world to shaping it.
The G20 has given us the platform – now it is our responsibility, as government, business, and citizens, to carry this momentum forward. This is our moment. And we are ready.
* Neville Matjie is the CEO of Brand South Africa, the official marketing agency of South Africa.
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