SOUTH AFRICA
Working together to create a virtuous cycle of growth, jobs and investment.
B4SA’s Purpose
Business for South Africa (B4SA) is a platform for South African business leaders, whose objective is to work alongside and in support of government to help accelerate economic growth and investment, create jobs, and build a more positive “SA Inc” narrative.
This is achieved by mobilising business resources, skills, and funding within the Government Business Partnership to accelerate the implementation of key interventions.
B4SA serves as BUSA’s implementation arm. It was established in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and collaborated with the government to design, implement, and expedite the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), ensuring swift financial support for workers and businesses affected by lockdowns. Together with the private healthcare industry, B4SA partnered with government to secure and drive the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccines and expand access across the country. This programme was a material success, resulting in over 38 million people (64% of the population) receiving access to Covid-19 vaccines.
Since 2023, B4SA has worked together with government, under the Government Business Partnership, to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges in four key focal areas:
- Energy
- Transport & Logistics
- Crime & Corruption
- Youth Employment
Central to the work of the Partnership is a shared vision to create a virtuous cycle of growth, jobs and improved investment confidence in our country. The Partnership has an ambition of 3% GDP growth in the short term.
The Government Business Partnership is based on a clear set of principles, exceptional governance, a well-defined delineation of roles between government and business, and a results-driven approach to achieving meaningful progress. The Partnership provides a compelling case study for many emerging and developed markets, demonstrating how business can leverage its expertise and resources to help implement government’s policy agenda in areas where key reforms are required to foster economic growth.
As of October 2024, more than 160 South African business leaders and CEOs have committed funding, resources and expertise through the CEO Pledge. Their contributions include:
- R250 million+ in direct funding into the Partnership (this excludes pro-bono, seconded, and other ‘in kind’ donations)
- Deployment of more than 350 experts
- Interventions at power stations by 57 companies
- Over 9000 hours to Eskom
- R700 million invested across key transport corridors
- Deployment of over 500 security personnel to Transnet Freight Rail
- R57 million invested in establishment of a forensic analysis centre