Seville, Spain: 2 July 2025: A B20 South Africa delegation will join its institutional partners, Business at OECD and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville,  Spain, to champion private sector solutions for the world’s $0.5 trillion annual infrastructure financing gap.  

Led by the B20 South Africa Sherpa, Cas Coovadia, and co-chairs Nonkululeko Nyembezi and Mxolisi Mgojo, Chair of the Finance and Infrastructure Task Force, Sim Tshabalala, and Head of Secretariat, Anthony Costa, the delegation will highlight Africa’s urgent infrastructure needs, where a $85 billion annual funding shortfall persists.  

They will advocate for global reforms to unlock private investment. A key focus will be a high-level roundtable, “Enabling Environments for Resilient Infrastructure  Development,” where leaders will present actionable recommendations to de-risk projects and scale sustainable infrastructure.  

Africa’s potential and the infrastructure imperative  

Cas Coovadia, B20 South Africa Sherpa, explained: “Africa is abundantly blessed with the human and natural resources to power the world’s next wave of growth.  Unlocking this potential hinges on closing our infrastructure gap, and our recommendations to the G20 later this year will include a possible roadmap to mobilise private capital at scale, ensuring no economy is left behind. 

With global infrastructure demands far outstripping public financing, the B20  emphasises blended finance, streamlined regulations and multilateral cooperation  to attract private investors.” 

Policy levers for change  

The proposals from the B20 South Africa task forces include revising prudential rules that discourage long-term infrastructure lending, accelerating project preparation, and prioritising high-impact sectors such as energy and digital infrastructure.  

“The private sector stands ready to partner with governments to build resilient infrastructure,” noted the Business at OECD Finance Committee Chair and B20  Finance and Infrastructure Co-Chair, Gianluca Riccio. “By addressing regulatory  barriers and enhancing risk-sharing mechanisms, we can turn the tide on the  financing crisis.”  

Inclusive global action is the priority. 

The ICC Secretary General and B20 Finance and Infrastructure Co-Chair, John  Denton, also called for collaboration: “Global cooperation is non-negotiable; business depends on the certainty and predictability provided by a functioning multilateral system. The ICC is proud to stand with B20 South Africa in advancing  pragmatic solutions that can respond to systemic frictions, create value, and  unlock private capital flows, fostering sustainable and inclusive prosperity.”  

The delegation will advocate for FfD4 outcomes that translate proposals into concrete steps, particularly for emerging markets.  

About B20 South Africa: The official G20 business voice, advancing policies for sustainable growth.  

About Business at OECD: The business advisory group to the OECD, driving economic prosperity.  

About the International Chamber of Commerce: The world’s largest business organisation, promoting open trade and investment.  

B20 South Africa Sponsors: 

• Lead: ABSA Group, Anglo American, Standard Bank, Sanlam Allianz • Platinum: Mastercard, Nestle, Rand Merchant Bank 
• Gold: Bidvest, Naspers, Sanofi, Telkom, Visa 
• Silver: Bayer, Chemical & Allied Industries Association (CAIA), Coronation,  Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Johannesburg Stock Exchange  (JSE), MTN, Old Mutual, Remgro, Sappi and Kwikot 
• Development: Aprio Group, Nedbank, SAB, Sasol, Standard Bank 

For more information, visit: http://b20southafrica.org 

Distributed by: B20 Media Communications 

For media inquiries: 

Mahlodi Molekane media@b20southafrica.org 

083 746 7473