National Business Initiative

Just Transition Pathways Report Launch: AFOLU Sector Decarbonisation and The Role of Gas for a Just Transition Reports
2021-11-02 10:00 - 12:00 (Africa/Johannesburg)
We are excited to announce the release of the next two report chapters from the Just Transition Pathways research project:

The AFOLU Sector Decarbonisation Pathway Report
The Role of Gas for a Just Transition Report

This project is a partnership between the National Business Initiative (NBI), Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). These chapters form part of the broader series focussed on developing decarbonisation pathways for sectors of the South African economy.
The Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) chapter explores measures and impacts of the transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient AFOLU sector, while the Gas report focuses on understanding the role of gas in South Africa’s decarbonisation journey.
Like many developing countries, South Africa has the task of balancing the urgent need for a just economic transition and growth with ensuring environmental resources are sustainably used and consumed, while also responding to the physical impacts of climate change. These sectors play a critical role in responding to these challenges.
Key findings from each of these reports:

The South African AFOLU sector is at significant climate risk and requires the development of a climate resilient AFOLU sector. This will ensure food security, sustainable healthy diets for all South Africans and maintain the sector’s socio-economic contribution.
If affordably supplied, gas can play a key transition role by enabling variability management in the power sector and substitute coal feedstock in industry and particularly in the synfuels sector.

Background:
South Africa is extremely vulnerable to the physical risk of climate change and the transition risk presented by a rapid global trend to a zero-carbon future. There is a pressing need to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change globally. We also need to consider green industrialisation as an opportunity to address South Africa’s economic stagnation and to respond to the global economic crisis triggered by the devastating COVID-19 Pandemic. To enable our economic recovery, ensure long term competitiveness and social resilience in the face of future climate and transition risk, South Africa needs a Just Transition plan to avoid getting left behind. We therefore need to work toward a goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
Join the webinar on Tuesday, 2 November 2021, to learn more about the results and consider implications and opportunities for South Africa with our multistakeholder panel.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

7th Annual Water Stewardship Conference - Online
2021-11-23 09:00 - 2021-11-24 13:30
Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Co-creating Opportunity Dialogue: Public and Private Sector Collaboration in a Post Local Government Election Context
2022-02-03 10:00 - 12:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Sanlam Group, is hosting an important dialogue, which will explore innovative opportunities for value co-creation, post the November 2021 Local government elections.
This event is the first NBI C-Suite Dialogue, a series of high-level conversations where executives can offer advice and gain key insights on a range of important topics, through sharing best practice with their peers. This dialogue will focus on unpacking the concept of servant leadership; defining a democratic and functional society and the impact on our economy of achieving these outcomes; the interplay between social cohesion (including service delivery) and business; as well as highlighting opportunities for collaboration and co-creation between the public and private sectors.
Our esteemed panel of speakers, from both the Public and Private sectors, are as follows:

Ms Avril Williamson, Director General: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA)
Mr Xolile George, Chief Executive Officer (CEO): South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
Mr Leon Camphor, Chief Executive Officer: The Association for Savings and Investments South Africa (ASISA)
Mr Mzila Mthenjane, Executive Head: Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement, Exxaro
Ms Joanne Yawitch, Chief Executive Officer: National Business Initiative (NBI)
Mr Karl Socikwa, Group Executive: Marketing Development and Sustainability, Sanlam Group

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

CEO Thought Leadership Dialogues: Courageous Leadership | Woolworths Inclusive Justice Initiative
2022-02-28 09:00 - 10:30
The National Business Initiative (NBI) in partnership with Woolworths, under the NBI’s Social Transformation Bold and Transformative Leadership Pathway, is hosting our fifth CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue, as we explore Courageous Leadership in Driving Transformation.
The NBI’s CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue Series is an influential virtual engagement platform for business leaders. It provides an opportunity to explore the challenges, opportunities, lessons and best practices essential to our economic recovery, transformation within workplaces and a just and inclusive culture, whilst strengthening business’ role in society.
In this dialogue with Zyda Rylands (Woolworths Food’s CEO), Chantal Butler (People Director for Woolworths SA) and Zinzi Mgolodela (Woolworths Director of Corporate Affairs), we will explore Woolworths Inclusive Justice Initiative (IJI) journey. This includes understanding how the journey began, Woolworths’s approach to addressing systemic inequality in tangible ways and the importance of evolving and accelerating efforts to make a sustainable, meaningful difference for people and communities – “doing good as we do business.”
In conversation with NBI’s Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze (Head: Social Transformation) and Bridgette Mdangayi (Programme Manager: Social Transformation), Zyda Rylands, Chantal Butler and Zinzi Mgolodela will detail how the Inclusive Justice Initiative is a natural next step in the evolution of Woolworths’s Good Business Journey. They will discusss how the Inclusive Justice Initiative aims to build Woolworths into an organisation that not only embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, but uses its influence and reach to help build a society where more people feel they can embrace their individuality, be accepted, participate and belong.
Call to Action:
The NBI aims to galvanise CEO’s & thought leaders to drive and champion collective action through implementable and innovative approaches for transformation, whilst also taking action to prioritise workplace inclusion so as to drive business commitment and advance transformation as a normative culture, both in the workplace and more broadly in society.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Pride in Belonging Edu-Series Launch
2022-03-25 11:00 - 12:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) has produced six short videos as part of our Pride in Belonging Edu-Series, which focuses on the belonging of LGBTQIAP+ employees in the workplace. In 2020, the NBI’s Social Transformation unit concluded research on Understanding the Experiences of LGBTQI+ Employees in the Workplace. By understanding these experiences, companies are in a better position to formulate transformative policies and create inclusive cultures, which prioritise belonging.
The video series serves as an educational platform, whereby employees who identify with the LGBTQIAP+ community have their experiences elevated, while advocating for companies to make structural and social changes that prioritise belonging. In addition, these moving personal accounts and experiences engage with the emerging knowledge around how organisations are accelerating transformation in the workplace. Currently, there is ongoing research and development exploring how companies foster a culture of belonging for employees, through transformative policies on gender and sexuality. As part of the Transformation & Equity pathway, the NBI continues to engage companies through dialogues, working groups, research and advocacy to achieve key transformation goals.
It is imperative for companies to continuously engage with the nuances of belonging in the workplace, as this has a correlation with an organisation’s ability to attract and retain talent, extend support and solidarity to the LGBTQIAP+ community at work, ensure the company fosters an environment which prioritises diverse participation, and create social values in line with the principles of a purpose driven entity.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Intergenerational Leadership Dialogue: Women in Sports
2022-04-07 11:00 - 13:00
Research and first-hand experiences show us that the persistent challenges faced by women in sports are closely linked to gender inequality. For our latest Intergenerational Leadership Dialogue, we are exploring the impact of gender equity for Women in Sports.
Nurturing talent and skill in the sporting sector in South Africa is multifaceted. Success for the sporting sector as a whole requires garnering investment from the private sector on one hand, as well as supporting government interventions to facilitate transformation and broader social equity, both on and off the field. Through sponsorships and investments, the private sector has demonstrated an interest in supporting young talent, nurturing these individuals into formidable national sportspersons.
This dialogue is intended to unpack and explore the private sector’s role and support of women’s sports in South Africa, particularly how this impacts young female talent, as well as interrogating gaps and opportunities for greater equity across local sports. Through engagements with a panel of experts across government, private sector and academia, some of the guiding questions for this discussion include:

How has the private sector contributed towards transformation in the South African sports sector?
What successful collaborations within the private sector have been accessed or harnessed to ensure support of sportswomen at a Tertiary level?
What policies has Government enacted towards ensuring sports women are paid equally to men?
How are key stakeholders dismantling the pay inequalities faced by women in the sports industry?

Intergenerational Dialogue Series
The National Business Initiative (NBI) has developed the Intergenerational Leadership Dialogues as a platform to critically explore how workplaces engage generational differences as an important aspect of transformation and equity. These discussions are intended to elevate the voices of young people at work, facilitating innovative thinking and reimagining leadership.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

NBI COP27 Roadshow Launch
2022-05-24 09:00 - 10:30
Calling South African Business to be part of the UN Climate Conference in Egypt, as Africa takes centre stage at COP27
The last UN Climate Conference, COP26, was highly successful for South Africa, showcasing the country’s enhanced climate ambition, enabled by collaborative action between government, business, and other key actors. South Africa’s enhanced climate ambition resulted in a historic deal between the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the European Union to offer US$8.5 billion in climate finance to support South Africa’s Just Transition.
With the foundation laid, it is time to demonstrate even deeper climate action. This opportunity is presented by COP27.
Building on the momentum achieved at COP26, we invite you to join us at the upcoming South Africa Pavilion COP27 Roadshow event as we highlight the key focal areas for this year’s pavilion, outline our programme of work for the Road to COP27, and call on business to collaborate with us in the delivery of this key national platform.
Why is this important?
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our global economy but tackling it is also one of the world’s big economic opportunities. Climate threats are amplified on the African continent, where impacts are further exacerbated due to high levels of social and economic vulnerability. The recent devastation caused by floods in KwaZulu-Natal, closely preceded by Cyclone Idai, emphasise the reality, proximity and enormity of the climate crisis for South Africa, and the continent more broadly.
The African climate response is a development and investment opportunity which must be realised to achieve a just transition to net zero, as well as climate resilient economies and societies across the continent.
COP27 will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) in November 2022. This African COP is a pivotal moment for governments and business across the continent, to showcase and position the range of climate investment prospects that exist in Africa and to amplify the value of collaborative action. COP27 also presents a moment to share insights into the requirements and enablers for implementation of both mitigation and adaptation measures, and what is needed to ensure that the transition to a net zero and climate resilient economy by 2050 is just, inclusive and addresses socio-economic needs.
The South Africa Pavilion is a prime opportunity for business and government to demonstrate climate leadership and action, track progress against climate commitments, share insight with an international audience and collaborate to tackle South Africa’s climate needs and opportunities. The Pavilion at COP27 will be hosted jointly by the South African government and business, coordinated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and National Business Initiative (NBI).
We invite you to join us on 24 May at our COP27 Roadshow Launch, to discover how you can be a part of this momentous occasion for the African continent.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Reflecting on the Zondo Commission of Inquiry: Lessons for the Private Sector
2022-06-29 11:00 - 12:30
The National Business Initiative’s (NBI) work on Building Trust and Accountability aims to reimagine South Africa as a society and economy built on trust. We do this by strengthening ethics and governance in the Private Sector, enhancing the capacity for responsible business practices and accountability. In turn, this strengthens the relationship between Business and broader society.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, better known as the Zondo Commission, was set up by former South African President, Jacob Zuma, to investigate allegations of state capture, corruption, and fraud in the public sector in South Africa.
While focussing primarily on the public sector, the findings indicated widespread corruption in both the public and private sectors in South Africa. The Zondo Commission findings “bust the abiding myths that the private sector is more ethical than the public sector and is less susceptible to corrupt practices given the many anti-corruption regulations. ’’ Find out more.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa 2022 Launch
2022-07-14 10:30 - 11:30
Unlocking investment and innovative technology are key enablers for South Africa’s transition to a net zero economy by 2050. We successfully launched the Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa in 2021 and we are pleased to announce the launch of the 2022 CFA South Africa programme. The main objective of the CFA South Africa programme is to improve the flow of climate finance in South Africa. We received over 130 applications in 2021, and worked directly with 13 innovative low carbon projects to engage with South African and international financiers.
The CFA is a four-year technical assistance programme operating in eight partner countries, including South Africa, supporting the development of a pipeline of a bankable, low carbon projects and identifying suitable financing options. The global programme is funded by the United Kingdom Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with NBI and GreenCape as the local delivery partners for South Africa.
The National Business Initiative, GreenCape, the British High Commission, the United Kingdom Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Climate Finance Accelerator team invite you to attend the launch of the 2022 CFA South Africa programme on Thursday 14th July, between 10:30 and 11:30.
The event will include a call for proposals, detailing how project developers and entrepreneurs can participate in this second phase of CFA South Africa. Financiers and projects who participated in the first round of CFA South Africa will also present on their experience of the programme.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP) Partners Platform
2022-07-19 09:00 - 11:00
The uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP) invites you to join our annual interactive virtual Partner’s Platform meeting on 19 July.
UWASP is a recognised example of good water stewardship practice in South Africa, serving as a coordination hub for collective action across the uMhlathuze region. UWASP’s approach is collaborative, with all partners working to identify focus areas and implement projects across industry, agriculture and communities.
The purpose of the Partners Platform is to engage with stakeholders within and outside the catchment on UWASP’s current activities, obtain feedback on the work done to date, and agree on our next phase of priorities.
This year’s Partner’s Platform will focus on:

An update on UWASP’s latest activities
Progress in the development of the FlowTracker water monitoring app, including its envisaged implementation
A consultative discussion on UWASP priorities for the next 2 years

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Climate Pathways and Just Transition for South Africa Report Launch – Energy Sector
2022-07-21 13:00 - 14:30
The National Business Initiative (NBI), Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), have explored over the past two years, pathways to achieve a net-zero economy within a fair share carbon budget, and in the process lift people out of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
We are now proud to announce the launch of our integrated energy report focused on the energy sector titled: “It All Hinges on Renewables – The Massive and Urgent Energy Transformation South Africa Needs To Get Right.” This is the first report in a series of reports that we will be releasing between now and the end of November 2022.
Findings from the report highlights that South Africa’s Just Transition pathway to a competitive, net-zero economy hinges on the country’s ability to unlock its globally advantaged, high-potential wind and solar energy resources at scale and at an unprecedented pace. By developing an energy system anchored by renewables, South Africa can contribute to solving its current energy crisis, and improve the affordability, availability, and reliability of our power supply – all while enabling new green industries to build the foundation of a globally competitive economy that is resilient to the trade risk arising from a transition to net-zero.
The event will also be live streamed on the day to the NBI and BCG YouTube channels. Please see links below:

NBI YouTube channel
BCG YouTube channel

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Intergenerational Leadership Dialogue - Mental Health at Work
2022-07-27 11:00 - 12:30
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant psychological impact on the workplace over the last three years. The mandatory lockdown, social distancing policies, isolation periods, transition from the office environment to remote working, and the uncertainty around job security, have all impacted employees’ mental health. Destigmatising mental illness and mental health in the workplace is essential for transformation across the private sector and the public at large.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) invites you to our fifth Intergenerational Leadership Dialogue on ‘Mental Health at Work,’ on 27 July 2022. The discussion will focus on addressing mental health needs as a key aspect of achieving transformation in the workplace. Find out more

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa Q&A Drop-in
2022-08-04 10:00 - 13:00
Do you have questions related to the Climate Finance Accelerator?
Please join the CFA SA team for a virtual Q&A Drop-in meeting on Thursday, 4th of August between 10:00 – 13:00 on Zoom.
Feel free to use this time to pose any questions you may have about the programme or application process. A member of the CFA SA team will be on hand to respond your queries.
Background on CFA South Africa
Funded by the United Kingdom Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the CFA is a four-year technical assistance programme that works closely with eight emerging countries, including South Africa; supporting countries to develop a sustainable pipeline of bankable, low-carbon projects and identifying suitable financing options.
The main objective of the CFA South Africa programme is to improve the flow of climate finance in South Africa, in order to support the implementation of South Africa’s enhanced climate goals or Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), thereby delivering emissions reductions and raising overall climate ambition.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Driving Economic Inclusion and Addressing Youth Unemployment through the IRM Hubs
2022-08-17 10:00 - 12:00
The Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) Initiative seeks to expand employment and career progression opportunities for young people across the industrial economy. Addressing the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa requires a collaborative approach that extends beyond labour absorption in the formal sector. The IRM Initiative acknowledges that supporting growth-oriented entrepreneurial activity is a key component for ensuring training and employment opportunities for young people within their local communities.
In support of the government’s efforts to revitalise the South African economy, following the negative effects of Covid-19, the IRM Initiative seeks to strengthen Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs), particularly those based in township communities, thus enabling SMEs to grow and prosper, while broadening the base for on-the-job training and employment creation.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) has launched two IRM hubs in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to uncover entrepreneurial potential amongst township artisans and create conditions for their potential to be realised, through increased market access with the formal sector, as well as enterprise and skills development. These hubs have supported 27 growth orientated IRM Enterprises over the past year and we will be scaling up these numbers over the next decade. Further hubs will be established in strategic locations across the country.
Join us on Wednesday, 17 August 2022, as the NBI hosts an industry event showcasing the IRM hubs. The event will serve as a platform to demonstrate the value of the hubs in bringing township enterprises closer to formal sector supply and value chains, and also identify the potential for strategic partnerships, which can benefit corporates in their contribution to more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Thought Leadership Series: The Impact of the Gender Pay Gap
2022-08-31 10:00 - 11:30
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns have aggravated women’s plight both economically and socially. The latest unemployment statistics indicate that the factors affecting women’s pay are institutional, systemic, and intersectional. According to the data, women are disproportionally enduring the brunt of job losses, inequalities both in the workplace and society, and moreover are also faced with the ongoing scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.
Given our current context of continued discrimination and exclusion, the National Business Initiative (NBI) recognises that addressing gender inequality is a critical lever for change. Our aim is to build and enhance representative and diverse workforces, supported by inclusive organisational cultures, which unlock innovation and efficiencies to improve business’ performance and understanding of its role in growing and sustaining our economy.
The NBI invites you to a Thought Leadership Series: The Impact of the Gender Pay Gap on Wednesday, 31 August 2022. The discussion will focus on a contextual analysis exploring the workplace, societal and economic impacts of the Gender Pay Gap. Building off the NBI’s Gender Pay Gap Pilot study, we intend to contribute to the growing work on pay disparity. Focusing on closing the pay gap in the workplace is essential for the transformation agenda of workplaces across the private sector and the public at large.
The discussion aims to explore:
• The private sector’s role in accelerating support and best practice for improved organisation and employee performance and sustainable business practices.
• The role of business in collaborative and cooperative efforts to ensure robust approaches in steering winning methodologies.
• Developing an intersectional approach that explores the need for gender-equality to be outcome-based and the broader socio-economic impacts of addressing pay disparity.
• How leaderships across sectors can explore the importance of gender diversity, and the advancement of women in the workplace and why it is pivotal for organisations to grow, succeed and be sustainable in challenging economic circumstances.
Companies have a responsibility to commit to transformation that disrupts patterns which reinforce and perpetuate the gender pay gap by stimulating pay equity, and to contribute towards closing the gender pay gap.
Join us for this important Thought Leadership Series as we engage with industry experts around transformation issues and find out how the private sector can support the implementation of transformation approaches within their companies.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Green Finance Taxonomy Expansion Webinar Series: Panel Discussion on International Taxonomy Trends and Lessons for South Africa
2022-09-09 09:30 - 10:30
In April 2022, the South African National Treasury launched the Green Finance Taxonomy (GFT) version 1 for South Africa, which serves as a catalogue that defines a minimum set of assets, projects and sectors as eligible to be defined as “green” or environmentally friendly. The Taxonomy also includes the listing of standards that define economic activities as green, based on conformance to specific criteria.
The Taxonomy’s development has been overseen by a Taxonomy Working Group, a multi-representative group drawing from national government, financial sector regulators and the financial services sector.
Since the launch of the GFT, the National Business Initiative (NBI) and Carbon Trust have been undertaking a project overseen by the South African National Treasury to embed the GFT into the financial sector ecosystem. To this end, Carbon Trust and NBI, are hosting a webinar series covering topics such as international green finance trends and lessons as well as GFT and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures.
The aim of the webinar series is to share insights from a diverse set of speakers and panellists on national sustainability and financial reporting also launch a set of knowledge products and tools on how to deepen GFT implementation and integration at a macro-scale.
Panellists include:

Louise Gardiner (Sustainable Banking Network Africa Coordinator, IFC)
Eugene Wong (CEO, Sustainable Finance Institute Asia)
Carolina Descio (Senior Manager Green Finance, Carbon Trust)

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Feedback from Africa Climate Week: What are the key challenges, opportunities and debates surrounding climate action and Just Transitions on the continent and their relevance for business in Africa
2022-09-12 13:00 - 14:30
“I deeply believe that COP27 is an opportunity to showcase unity against an existential threat that we can only overcome through concerted action and effective implementation.”
~ President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt
Climate change is one of the greatest threats to our global economy but tackling it is also one of the world’s biggest economic opportunities. Climate threats are amplified on the African continent, where the transition risk and physical impacts are further exacerbated by high levels of social and economic vulnerability.
The UNFCCC’s Climate Conference (COP27) is taking place in Egypt this year. This African COP is a pivotal moment for governments and business, across the continent, to showcase and position the range of climate investment opportunities that exist in Africa and to amplify the value of collaborative action.
An effective climate response is inextricably connected to Africa’s development. Adaptation challenges do not observe borders, thus building resilient and sustainable energy networks will be more efficient and successful when based on regional partnerships and collaboration. Addressing the interface between climate action, just transitions, development, finance, and investment, with the participation of the private sector in Africa, is crucial if we want to realise the immense opportunities across the continent.
In the spirit of showcasing collaborative action in the face of climate change, the National Business Initiative (NBI) has partnered with the African Climate Foundation (ACF) to deliver a series of dialogues between African business across the continent, including South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria. The dialogues provide an opportunity to better understand the broader African climate context and challenges, as well as to unpack climate responses and to share learnings on the different approaches to achieving Just Transitions across the continent.
These dialogues will focus on the role of business in stimulating enhanced climate ambition, action, and investment, as well as unpacking the requirements for further socio-economic developments as part of the transitions to thriving, resilient, competitive economies and societies across Africa.
We invite you to this three-part series of events to engage and share learning between business and decision makers building on Africa Climate Week, Climate Week New York, and other key global moments as we head towards COP27.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Global Forces of Change and their Effects on Sustainability
2022-09-13 10:00 - 11:30
The National Business Initiative (NBI) is hosting an important dialogue exploring key sustainability issues and trends, within South Africa and globally, providing highly practical insights into how businesses can embed sustainability.
This Sustainability Dialogue will share the latest international and South African insights on the journey to integrating sustainability into businesses practices, including global regulatory and investor pressures, which also have a direct impact on South African business operations. The Dialogue will also discuss companies’ maturity in implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and the expectations placed on businesses to comply with and integrate the ESG framework into their operations.
Following the publishing of the book “The Sustainable Business Handbook” earlier this year, co-authored by the three highly experienced Sustainability practitioners David Grayson, Chris Coulter and Mark Lee, we are thrilled to facilitate a conversation which will include David Grayson. David will delve into a key topic explored in the handbook on what “leaders need to understand to improve sustainability performance”, by providing practical views into the sustainability journey of leaders, both nationally and globally.
The Handbook has captured the voices of different global organisations and academia, such as Anglo American, Discovery, NYU’s Stern School of Business, Unilever, Woolworths and many more. We will explore their perspectives through our esteemed panel of speakers, facilitated by Ms Joanne Yawitch (NBI CEO):

Mr David Grayson: Cranfield’s Emeritus Professor of Corporate Responsibility, London, UK
Ms Seara Mkhabela: Group Head: Corporate Affairs, Anglo American
Mr Feroz Koor: Group Head of Sustainability, Woolworths

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Green Finance Taxonomy Expansion Webinar Series: The GFT and ESG Disclosure
2022-09-16 10:00 - 10:45
In April 2022, the South African National Treasury launched the Green Finance Taxonomy (GFT) version 1 for South Africa, which serves as a catalogue that defines a minimum set of assets, projects and sectors as eligible to be defined as “green” or environmentally friendly. The Taxonomy also includes the listing of standards that define economic activities as green, based on conformance to specific criteria.
The Taxonomy’s development has been overseen by a Taxonomy Working Group, a multi-representative group drawing from national government, financial sector regulators and the financial services sector.
Since the launch of the GFT, the National Business Initiative (NBI) and Carbon Trust have been undertaking a project overseen by the South African National Treasury to embed the GFT into the financial sector ecosystem. To this end, Carbon Trust and NBI, are hosting a webinar series covering topics such as international green finance trends and lessons as well as GFT and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures.
The aim of the webinar series is to share insights from a diverse set of speakers and panellists on national sustainability and financial reporting also launch a set of knowledge products and tools on how to deepen GFT implementation and integration at a macro-scale.
Speakers include

Jonathon Hanks (Partner, Incite),
Clemence McNulty (Partner Sustainability & Climate Change, EY)
Simon Clarke (Director, IBIS Consulting)

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Re-imagining Africa’s Just Transition to a sustainable and inclusive net-zero and climate resilient future: How are participating countries framing their Just Transitions, setting climate ambition, and what is the role of business?
2022-09-22 14:00 - 15:30

The importance of partnerships to solve pressing climate and Just Transition related challenges in Africa: Exploring case studies of partnerships and investment opportunities emerging from Just Transition plans and projects in each participating country
2022-09-29 10:00 - 11:30

Green Finance Taxonomy Expansion Webinar Series: Developing and Applying the GFT
2022-09-30 10:00 - 11:00
In April 2022, the South African National Treasury launched the Green Finance Taxonomy (GFT) version 1 for South Africa, which serves as a catalogue that defines a minimum set of assets, projects and sectors as eligible to be defined as “green” or environmentally friendly. The Taxonomy also includes the listing of standards that define economic activities as green, based on conformance to specific criteria.
The Taxonomy’s development has been overseen by a Taxonomy Working Group, a multi-representative group drawing from national government, financial sector regulators and the financial services sector.
Since the launch of the GFT, the National Business Initiative (NBI) and Carbon Trust have been undertaking a project overseen by the South African National Treasury to embed the GFT into the financial sector ecosystem. To this end, Carbon Trust and NBI, are hosting a webinar series covering topics such as international green finance trends and lessons as well as GFT and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures.
The aim of the webinar series is to share insights from a diverse set of speakers and panellists on national sustainability and financial reporting also launch a set of knowledge products and tools on how to deepen GFT implementation and integration at a macro-scale.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Towards Unprecedented Changes in South Africa’s Power Sector
2022-10-19 10:00 - 11:30
As the energy transition to net zero by 2050 commences in South Africa’s power sector, it is fundamental that we explore how the finance sector can facilitate and scale this important process. Central to this approach is how key financial actors and institutions will finance and manage the new renewable energy market. Financing the expansion of renewable energy will require investment at all levels of the economy, and a range of market participants including commercial and industrial actors and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with Just Share, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-SA) are hosting the official launch of their electricity report: Climate Change Investment And Finance Opportunities in The South African Electricity Sector. The report will be launched at the webinar and will further unpack the unprecedented changes currently underway in South Africa’s power sector.
The session will include a panel of high-level speakers from the finance sector, who will discuss:
• How financiers and investors are currently supporting the renewable energy market at different scales
• The changes anticipated in South Africa’s electricity sector in the near future
• Key financing considerations for companies wanting to make a significant investment in renewable energy
• The financing of transmission network upgrades in key provinces
• Unlocking the future electricity and renewable energy market at a commercial, industrial and IPP level
Keynote speakers include:
• Robert Lewenson: Old Mutual (Head: Responsible Investment)
• Daniel Zinman: Rand Merchant Bank (Head: Power Infrastructure Sector Solutions)
• Arvana Singh: Nedbank (Head: Sustainable Finance Solutions)
We invite you and relevant members of your organisation to participate in this important launch event and discussion.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Implementing Demand-Led Skilling through Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges
2022-10-27 11:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and Absa are collaborating to demonstrate a model of vocational skills development aligned to skills demand in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). The model aims to respond to the urgent need to address youth unemployment and enable economic inclusion by working on both the demand and supply side, unlocking demand for skills in SMEs and supporting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges to respond to and serve such demand. Through this intervention, the NBI seeks to expand the number of SMEs, particularly those in township communities, that are able to train and employ young people by addressing the barriers to growth and sustainability.
The model is currently being tested through the Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) Initiative, which seeks to expand learning and employment pathways for marginalised youth that are unable to access formal apprenticeships, with a particular focus on the green economy. The IRM General Repairer (Assistant Handyperson) skills programme, registered with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, combines technical skills with work readiness, entrepreneurial education and skills for sustainability. In addition, the programme works with growth-oriented property maintenance SMEs in local townships to support them on their growth journey, on condition that they train and employ young IRM students.
We invite you to join us as we unpack the lessons learnt from the Absa and NBI partnership, on how TVET Colleges can better position themselves to work with, and respond to SMEs in township communities, in order to increase workplace training and employment, or self-employment opportunities for students.
This Thought Leadership Dialogue will provide a platform for engaging with these lessons and understanding:

How TVET Colleges work within the broader township ecosystem to identify, engage with, and support entrepreneurs to grow and create demand for skilled labour.
Shifting the focus of colleges towards flexible, demand led skills training, which ensures trainees are work ready and can be trained in an SME environment.

We look forward to your attendance.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Intergenerational Leadership Dialogue: Business Without Borders
2022-11-01 11:00 - 12:30
Regional integration is often seen as an important mechanism for driving economic growth and development in the South African Development Community (SADC) region. However, within regional supply and trade value chains, women, youth and the LGBTIQIA+ community are the most vulnerable to barriers due to factors such as the gap in trade financing, gender disparities, institutional and systemic violence and a lack of capacity and advocacy. In response, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stresses the importance of regional integration based on the conceptual idea of ‘Business Without Borders’.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) invites you to an upcoming Intergenerational Leadership Dialogue: Business Without Borders, on Tuesday, 1 November 2022.
The COVID-19 Pandemic necessitated critical discussions around reimagining regional integration and specifically the role of the Private Sector in ensuring regional outcomes under the strategic banner of ‘Business Without Borders.’ This includes how the Private Sector is well-positioned to deal with systemic and institutional barriers for women, youth and the LGBTIQIA+ community within their networks.
This Intergenerational Leadership discussion will focus on:

The importance of regional integration, trade, and Private Sector engagement for an inclusive regional ecosystem.
The importance of trade financing by private institutions as enablers of the ecosystem, that is inclusive of women, youth, and members of the LGBTIQIA+ community.
The role of business and Government in ensuring there is collaboration and capacity building for sustainability.
Policy considerations for the Private and Public Sectors in relation to the AfCFTA.

The NBI developed the Intergenerational Leadership Dialogues as a platform to critically explore how workplaces engage generational differences as an important aspect of transformation and equity. These discussions are intended to elevate the voices of young people at work, facilitate innovative thinking, and reimagine leadership.
Join us for this important discussion as we unpack regional integration as a mechanism for driving economic growth, development, and inclusion.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

NBI Member and Business Briefing: Unpacking the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (Jet IP)
2023-02-10 12:00 - 14:00
South Africa has committed to shifting from one of the most carbon-intensive economies in the world to a leading net- zero, resilient economy. However, for this to happen, the country needs to rapidly transition its energy outlook. At the United Nations main climate change conference (COP27) on 7 November 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the new Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP). The JET IP is the first of its kind, detailing how South Africa proposes to use the $8.5-billion that the European Union (EU) and several developed nations have pledged, towards the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Together with our esteemed colleagues at the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), the National Business Initiative (NBI) invites you to join us for a tailored briefing which will focus on unpacking the JET IP on 10 February 2023. The JET IP is a remarkable example of the power of collective action in driving climate ambition and investment.
South African business must stand together behind a net-zero and resilient economy and continue to work collaboratively with Government and other actors to drive this shift.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue: “Yesterday’s Lessons, Today’s Leadership, and Tomorrow’s Impact"
2023-02-15 09:00 - 11:00
CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue: “Yesterday’s Lessons, Today’s Leadership, and Tomorrow’s Impact”
South Africa is grappling with several critical issues such as inequality, stagnant economic growth and the increasing cost of living, with the impacts of these challenges severely affecting marginalised communities. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, resulting in a greater divide across society. The Public and Private sectors have an important role to play in addressing these substantial issues through strong, cohesive and collaborative leadership.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) invites you to an upcoming CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue: “Yesterday’s Lessons, Today’s Leadership and Tomorrow’s Impact,” on 15 February 2023. This important Dialogue will host Standard Bank South Africa (SBSA) CEO, Lungisa Fuzile, focussing on Mr Fuzile’s tenure and expansive leadership in both the Private and Public Sector. Standard Bank is a purpose-led organisation with the central belief that “Africa is our home, we drive her growth”.
The NBI’s CEO Thought Leadership Dialogues serve as a fundamental lever for driving societal transformation and cohesion across sectors. This pathway seeks to ensure Private Sector leadership recommits to actively and meaningfully changing our society by dealing with inequality, inequity, and exclusion – which are crucial for long-term inclusive economic growth and social stability. The CEO Dialogue speakers are viewed as a group of bold, courageous, and transformative executives who commit to personally engaging with peers on transformation issues, whilst supporting the implementation of transformation approaches within their organisations.
The NBI aims to galvanise CEOs & thought leaders to drive and champion collective action through implementable and innovative approaches for transformation. This is achieved by taking action to prioritise workplace inclusion, driving business commitment and advancing transformation as a normative culture, both within the workplace and beyond in broader society.
Join us for this important discussion as we reflect on yesterday’s lessons, unpack today’s leadership, and look forward to tomorrow’s impact.
Please click here to register for this Zoom event.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Notification: Postponement of Event - Thought Leadership Dialogue: Partnering Against Money Laundering and Corruption in South Africa and the Subregion
2023-02-21 10:00 - 14:30
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, we have taken the decision to postpone the Thought Leadership Dialogue: Partnering Against Money Laundering and Corruption in South Africa and the Subregion event.
The event will now take place on the 21st of February 2023.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Corruption is a complex barrier to development in Africa. The scale and ease with which illicit assets flow in and out of the region pose a significant threat to stability. An estimated 4% of continental GDP is lost annually to illicit financial flows, increasing organized crime such as state capture and the corrosion of corruption defenses.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) together with the Basel Institute on Governance, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), and Covington invites you to an upcoming Thought Leadership Dialogue: Partnering Against Money Laundering and Corruption in South Africa and the Subregion.
This important event will unpack the evolving role of business in reducing illicit financial flows in the South Africa Sub-region to boost market growth, development, and strengthening of governance systems. As part of the solution to combating corruption in the private sector, the NBI is launching the ‘NBI Ethics and Anti-Corruption Course,’ the first in a series of training courses under the Building Trust and Accountability Pathway.
The discussion will be framed around the following key elements:

The risk and regulatory landscape, focusing on evolving regulations and risk patterns
Exploring Public-Private Partnerships in the region – Highlighting the importance of working together to prevent money laundering and financial crime.
Business Taking a Stand – Responsible Businesses are partnering with Law Enforcement and using best practices and tools how to ensure Ethical Leadership.

Join us as we unpack the role of the private sector in curbing illicit financial flows.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

POSTPONED: CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue: ‘Boardroom Dancing’ – Catalysing a Transformative Narrative for Corporate Leadership
2023-03-23 10:00 - 11:30
PLEASE NOTE
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this dialogue is being postponed.
A new date will be communicated in due course.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) invites you to join us for our upcoming CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue: ‘Boardroom Dancing’ – Catalysing a Transformative Narrative for Corporate Leadership, on Thursday, the 23rd of March 2023.
In this important dialogue we will be engaging with Nolitha Fakude: Chair of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa and President of the Minerals Council, exploring key areas of her leadership journey in various industries that include mining, oil and gas, petrochemicals, financial services, as well as retail and management consulting. Nolitha’s visionary leadership has positioned her as an influential corporate activist and inspirational businesswoman, with a passion for leadership development and transformation for women and black people in the workplace.
The discussion will focus on:

Addressing company cultures: Bridging inequality, Just Energy Transition, Sextortion, and Women in the Mining Industry.
Unpacking lessons and challenges at the helm of leadership: Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the mining industry and concerns around not adhering to the BBBEE sector code targets.
Leveraging on leadership skills: Exploring best practice and the “butterfly effect” in navigating boardroom dynamics from Nolitha’s memoir titled, “Boardroom Dancing.”

The NBI’s CEO Dialogues serve as a fundamental lever for driving societal transformation and cohesion across sectors. The Social Transformation Unit’s Bold and Transformative Leadership Pathway seeks to ensure private sector leadership’s recommitment to actively and meaningfully changing our society by dealing with inequality, inequity, and exclusion. These are crucial for ensuring long-term inclusive economic growth and social stability. The CEO Dialogue representatives are viewed as a group of bold, courageous, and transformative C-Suite executives who commit to personally engaging with peers on transformation issues, whilst supporting the implementation of transformation approaches within their organisations.
Call to Action: The NBI aims to galvanise CEO’s and thought leaders to drive and champion collective action through implementable and innovative approaches to transformation, whilst also taking action to prioritise workplace inclusion to drive business commitment and advance transformation as a normative culture, both in the workplace and more broadly across society.
Join us for this important dialogue as we explore Nolitha Fakude’s leadership journey and unpack the key role business can play in driving inclusion and transformation in the workplace.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP

Thought Leadership Session (TLS) - The role of business in South Africa’s emerging renewable electricity landscape
2023-05-18 11:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), Climate Group, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), have partnered to establish the RAiSE (Renewables Ambition in South African Electricity) Hub to unlock the power of corporate procurement and generation of renewable energy in South Africa.
RAiSE is excited to invite you to a thought-provoking dialogue on “The Role of Business in South Africa’s Emerging Renewable Electricity Landscape”. This session is the first in a series of conversations on South Africa’s evolving power system and the role of business in shaping South Africa’s future power system.
A recent study by the NBI, BUSA and BCG concluded that South Africa would need to build 6-12 GW of renewable energy annually to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 underpinning South Africa’s Just Transition.
“To put that in perspective, SA has an installed capacity of about 5GW of renewables today, which took us more than a decade to build. We cannot emphasise the scale and complexity of this challenge enough, it all hinges on renewables.” – Joanne Yawitch and Lucas Chaumontet, Business Day article, 6 June 2022
The private sector has a pivotal role to play in scaling-up South Africa’s electricity generation capacity, not only to respond to the current crippling energy crisis, but also building the foundation for climate responsive and resilient power system.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new energy plan in 2022 to curb unremitting power interruptions. The accelerated rollout of renewable energy features as an integral part of the plan and the role of business is identified as key in unlocking South Africa’s renewable electricity capacity and capability.
Join us for our first session in a series of discussions as RAiSE Hub explores and unpacks the technical, regulatory, financial, and social aspects of South Africa’s dynamic and growing renewable power landscape.
RAiSE Hub will also feature member company renewable energy journeys, sharing lessons and insights and building partnerships to enable a rapid market-driven scaling up of investment and implementation of renewables in South Africa.
We invite you to a workshop to introduce the RAiSE Hub and how we secure a stable and secure supply of renewable energy as the bedrock of a competitive, resilient and inclusive economy.

Water security is no longer a future concern, it is already affecting communities, businesses, cities, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical

Join the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship.

Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people, nature and economies.

Participants will gain insights into:

The revised AWS Standard Version 3.0
How water stewardship can support utilities, cities, industries and other organisations
South Africa’s water security challenges
Practical examples of collective action and implementation

Speakers

Garth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society, National Business Initiative (NBI)
Faith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Tyler Farrow: Standards Manager, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Helen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director, ERM

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 09 July 2026
Time: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)
Platform: Online via Zoom

Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people, nature, and economies.

Click Here to RSVP
