As the world faces unprecedented challenges and shifting dynamics, South Africa stands as a beacon of resilience, reform and inclusive growth. Attending the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos provided an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s journey — and more importantly, its potential to lead on the global stage.
South Africa is increasingly becoming a key player in the broader African economic narrative
For Team South Africa, WEF was not just a platform to engage with global leaders but a moment to celebrate our achievements and the opportunities that lie ahead. From structural reforms to innovation, South Africa is increasingly becoming a model of collaboration and sustainable growth.
This year marks a critical milestone for both South Africa and the African continent. As we prepare to host the G20 and B20 summits for the first time, the spotlight is on us to drive dialogue on inclusive economic growth and the future of trade. For SAB, our legacy in South Africa, built over 130 years, aligns with this historic moment. We stand alongside Team South Africa to reinforce the nation’s economic potential, with a shared focus on fostering innovation, sustainability, and resilience.
The theme of this year’s World Economic Forum, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, resonates deeply with South Africa’s current trajectory. In a rapidly evolving world, we’ve embraced the spirit of collaboration — especially between the public and private sectors. Our government of national unity has exemplified a commitment to democracy and pragmatic solutions to the complex challenges of the global landscape. South Africa’s journey, though not without hurdles, continues to show tremendous resilience. As we focus on structural reforms and stability, we are increasingly positioned to play a leading role in shaping solutions for both domestic and global challenges.
South Africa’s strategic importance as a gateway to one of the world’s fastest-growing regions cannot be overstated. Our country offers dynamic opportunities for investment and trade, and while we’ve made significant strides in addressing issues like the energy crisis, challenges such as logistics remain. The collaborative efforts between government and the private sector are beginning to restore confidence, with a more stable electricity supply and a renewed focus on critical reforms in energy and infrastructure. These steps are pivotal in unlocking South Africa’s full economic potential.
One of South Africa’s defining strengths lies in its ability to localise industries and build resilience from within. At SAB, we’ve made this a central focus. By sourcing 95% of our brewing ingredients locally, we have woven ourselves into the fabric of South Africa’s agricultural and economic landscape. This commitment has created more than 250,000 jobs — one in every 66 people linked to the beer industry — demonstrating the power of local value chains. Our investment in local suppliers and the broader agricultural sector strengthens South Africa’s economic backbone and supports the government’s goal of fostering an inclusive economy.
At the World Economic Forum, much of the discourse centred on the intersection of corporate strategy, sustainability, and agriculture — key themes that are particularly relevant to South Africa. Agriculture is integral to the African economy, with more than 60% of the population relying on it and contributing nearly 23% to the continent’s GDP. Yet, the sector faces significant vulnerabilities: climate change, land degradation, water scarcity, and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges directly impact food security and economic stability, making innovation and collaboration crucial for fostering growth in the sector.
In these discussions, I saw the critical importance of innovation as a driver of resilience. The private sector, particularly, plays a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural value chains through strategic investments in research & development. These investments are not only improving crop yields and farming techniques, but they are also creating a more sustainable and efficient agricultural sector.
South Africa is increasingly becoming a key player in the broader African economic narrative, especially with the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has unlocked new opportunities for intra-African trade. SAB has embraced this opportunity by not only exporting raw materials but also adding value through local processing, thereby contributing to the economic development of the region. Our efforts are creating sustainable, long-term value chains that support industrialisation and the growth of agriculture across Africa. The beer industry alone supports nearly 3-million jobs and contributes more than $14bn to Africa’s GDP, underscoring its transformative potential for the continent.
Collaboration remains at the heart of these efforts. SAB’s partnerships with government are focused on critical areas such as local governance reform, water security, and addressing youth unemployment — issues that directly influence South Africa’s business climate. As we move towards the G20 and B20 summits, the momentum from the WEF will be crucial in demonstrating the ongoing reforms and showcasing opportunities for growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and beyond. These summits will offer the perfect platform to reaffirm South Africa’s position as a destination for trade, investment, and collaboration.
As SAB celebrates 130 years in South Africa, we remain deeply committed to contributing to the nation’s economic recovery. Through targeted investments in industrialisation, local manufacturing, and sustainable agricultural development, we aim to play a central role in South Africa’s economic growth while also unlocking Africa’s full potential.
• Lisa is VP corporate affairs at SAB
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