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| Former President of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, speaking in a joint dialogue with various stakeholders at the Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam. |
Business Leaders Gather in Dar es Salaam for High-Level Forum Sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti
Dar es Salaam, May 2025 — Former South African President, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, has urged African business communities to establish a shared strategic agenda in preparation for South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025.
Speaking during the High-Level Business Forum held at the Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Mr. Mbeki emphasized the importance of unity, equity, and sustainable development in driving Africa’s transformation. The event was jointly organized by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, with sponsorship from AngloGold Ashanti.
With South Africa set to host the upcoming G20 Summit in November 2025, Mbeki stressed the need for Africa to take ownership of its development agenda, leveraging the platform to push for tangible solutions to global challenges such as poverty, climate change, food security, and social inequality.
“We must speak with one voice on key issues. Now that the African Union is a member of the G20, we must use this opportunity to advance Africa’s priorities,” said Mbeki.
He reflected on previous efforts to advocate for Africa’s interests through initiatives like the Africa Action Plan at past G8 Summits, calling for renewed, African-led policy proposals tailored to the continent’s realities.
Building a Common Vision
Held under the theme “Forging a Shared Vision for South Africa’s G20 Presidency: Reviving the African Renaissance”, the forum brought together business leaders, academics, government officials, and diplomats. The discussion focused on crafting a cohesive African economic vision ahead of the G20 Summit — the first to be hosted on African soil.
Mr. Simon Shayo, Vice President of AngloGold Ashanti, called on the private sector to evolve from being economic stakeholders to architects of Africa’s future.
“We must be more than just players in the economy — we must help shape the future of Africa,” Shayo stated, highlighting the company's 25-year investment history in Tanzania’s mining sector.
Mr. Lukhanyo Neer, Chief Operations Officer at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, emphasized the importance of regional and sectoral collaboration to form a unified African voice on global economic platforms.
“We need a single African voice at international economic forums,” Neer asserted.
Rethinking Development Models
Several speakers addressed the need to revisit Africa’s development models. Renowned economist Prof. Samuel Wangwe emphasized the importance of self-reliance, proposing initiatives such as a continental currency, better natural resource governance, investment in entrepreneurial skills, and strong public-private partnerships.
Tanzania’s Ambassador John Ulanga highlighted infrastructure financing gaps, revealing that Africa currently attracts only one-third of the capital needed for infrastructure development. He advocated for collaborative, continent-wide infrastructure projects like Cape to Cairo and trade facilitation mechanisms.
Ambassador Ami Mpungwe stressed that resources alone are not enough, underscoring the need for investment in technology, capital, and talent. He cited South Africa’s investments in Tanzania as a model for intra-African economic success.
From Policy to Practice
In addition to high-level discussions, the forum spotlighted key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and trade. Participants called for a shift from exporting raw goods to value-added production, using cashew processing as an example of untapped economic potential.
Youth empowerment and public-private collaboration were recognized as vital pillars for Africa’s economic transformation. Discussions also explored practical solutions for leveraging Africa’s mineral wealth and enhancing the competitiveness of its SMEs.
Closing the forum, Ms. Emily Kariuki of the Mbeki Ndlela Institute invoked the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere:
“When Africa stands united, we are unstoppable — even on the world’s toughest stages,” she said.
A Path Forward
The forum concluded with a strong commitment to building a unified and strategic African business platform in preparation for the G20 Summit. AngloGold Ashanti reaffirmed its support for such forums and pledged to continue championing inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.
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