Event Details

The Business 20 (B20) is the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community. Established in 2010, the B20 brings together business leaders from G20 member countries and beyond, providing a platform for companies and business organisations to articulate their perspectives on pressing global economic and trade issues, ensuring that the voice of the business community is heard at the highest levels of international economic governance.


South Africa assumes the Presidency of the G20 on 1 December from Brazil, and with it the Chair of the B20 for the next year, to be followed by the United States.


This is the first time a B20 will be hosted in South Africa, and on the continent, providing a unique opportunity to profile the country and its businesses, co-ordinate the development of business-related policy, and develop relationships with economic partners across the globe.


BUSA is the official host of B20 South Africa and, together with BLSA, is responsible for the programme of B20 South Africa. The webinar will explain the structure of the B20, share lessons from B20 Brasil, and discuss the ways in which local and multinational business can participate in this global showcase.

Speakers

  • Cas Coovadia (Sherpa at South Africa B20)

    Cas Coovadia

    Sherpa at South Africa B20

    Cas started as CEO of BUSA on 1 April 2020 after retiring as Managing Director of The Banking Association SA (BASA) after spending 15 years there. He was instrumental in positioning BASA as one of the leading business organisations in SA and positioning it as a credible voice for the banking industry.

    Cas obtained his B. Com from the University College - Durban in 1971. He completed the Housing Finance Course with the Wharton Real Estate Centre at the University of Pennsylvania. He also completed the Effective Directors Programme with the Kagiso School of Leadership. He has contributed to numerous articles and publications on housing finance, civil society, local government, and the role of civic organisations in governance.

    Cas became involved in anti-apartheid politics in the early 1980’s. He was very active in the civic movement, starting in Laudium, Pretoria in 1980. He was the leading force in the establishment of the White Blocks Residents Association in Laudium during 1980. This was the first organized civic body in the country and mobilized low-income people around their day-to-day issues. Cas subsequently was instrumental in the formation of the Civic Association of Johannesburg, which was the trailblazer in negotiations around the restructuring of local government in the early 1990’s. The Civic Association of Johannesburg, which included the Soweto Civic Association, Alexandra Civic Organisation, Lenasia Civic Association and others, was the central party from the Mass Democratic Movement in negotiations around the restructuring of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council. Cas was General Secretary of the Civic Association of Johannesburg and led the negotiations. He was also instrumental in the formation of the South African National Civic Organisation and was its Vice-President. Cas played a critical role in the United Democratic Front (UDF) and was leading its Johannesburg Area Committee. He also played a critical role in the defiance campaign during the mid-1980’s.

    Cas is still active in numerous business organisations and in civic life. He is the Chairperson of the National Business Initiative, on the Council of Wits University, on the board of the Centre for Development and Enterprise, amongst others.

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  • Anthony Costa (Head of Secretariat at South Africa B20)

    Anthony Costa

    Head of Secretariat at South Africa B20

    Dr Anthony Costa is the Head of Secretariat for the South Africa B20, based at Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), responsible for the hosting of the B20 Summit in 2025.

    He worked previously in the Private Office of the President of South Africa, leading the President’s Investment Mobilisation Programme, including several initiatives between government and the private sector. He is on full-time secondment from Nedbank Group Limited, where he has worked in retail and investment banking, insurance and asset management, including with the Old Mutual Group, for over 15 years.

    Anthony holds BA(Hons) and LLB degrees from Wits University, an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Studies (University of Pretoria), and a PhD in History from the University of Cambridge (Trinity College). He is an admitted advocate of the High Court of South Africa and former member of the Johannesburg Bar.

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