SA’s hosting of the G20 presents a historic opportunity. For the first time in two decades, African markets can bring their priorities to the global table and push for tangible action. The stakes are high. Mere discussion is not enough.
For participants of B20 — the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community — the pressure is even greater.
In the 2024 round in Brazil, B20 proposals achieved unprecedented uptake by the G20. This year, business leaders participating in the B20 process are expected to do more than enhance their visibility. They are aiming to develop proposals that are ambitious yet pragmatic, aligned to both business priorities and the public good. Overall, they need to deliver proposals that will result in real-world impact. And they need to do this at pace, collaborating with hundreds of peers while managing their day jobs.
So, how can B20 participants ensure their effort is worth it? The answer lies in more than active participation or polished communiqués. What makes the process meaningful is seeing proposals adopted by the G20 and, crucially, translated into action. But not every proposal survives the journey from idea to implementation. What makes some succeed where others stall? What differentiates proposals that drive tangible outcomes from those that fade after the meetings conclude?
The soon-to-be-launched Sanlam ESG Barometer: B20 Policy Impact Special Report — published in partnership with Business Day and researched by Krutham — tackles these questions. The research analysed the past three B20 cycles, tracking which proposals were adopted into G20 recommendations and which of those saw real-world follow-through by G20 nations. The research team identified patterns among successful proposals and stress-tested these findings with key B20 stakeholders.
The Sanlam ESG Barometer: B20 Policy Impact Special Report is designed to help business leaders craft proposals that survive scrutiny, gain adoption and drive meaningful action
— Nicole Martens, head of Impact Advisory at Krutham
The result is a set of actionable characteristics that increase the likelihood of a proposal moving from paper to practice. Among others, clear framing, practical design, stakeholder alignment and credible evidence all emerge as critical. So does attention to the timing and political context in which proposals are submitted. At its core, the research shows what it takes for B20 proposals to deliver impact that lasts.
It’s hoped this research will guide current and future B20 participants. It’s designed to help business leaders craft proposals that do more than spark conversation. By applying these insights, participants can champion initiatives that serve business interests while advancing the public good — proposals that survive scrutiny, gain adoption and drive meaningful action.
SA’s B20 is not just a platform. It is an opportunity to shape policy, influence global priorities and demonstrate that business can act as a catalyst for change. For participants, the reward is not just recognition but the chance to see their ideas realised on a global stage. And for the continent, it is a chance to put African priorities firmly on the agenda, backed by proposals that are ambitious, practical, and designed to deliver results.
Register for the launch of the Sanlam ESG Barometer: B20 Policy Impact Special Report
This ground-breaking report will be launched at an exclusive event in Johannesburg on October 7. It will feature dynamic panel discussions with leaders from business, civil society, and academia, exploring how B20 recommendations have been implemented across G20 nations and what lessons can be drawn for Africa’s development trajectory.
Click here to register your virtual attendance for the launch.
• About the author: Nicole Martens is head of Impact Advisory at Krutham, a leading research and strategy firm.
This article was sponsored by Sanlam.
