NBI 30 Year Anniversary Celebration Honouring 30 Years of Collective Action...
Sponsor and venue host:
Sponsors:
30 Years of the NBI Driving Change and Economic Growth
On 23 April 2026, business leaders, government partners and development stakeholders gathered at Nedbank’s head office in Sandton to celebrate 30 years of the National Business Initiative (NBI). The event brought together leaders from government, business and civil society to reflect on three decades of collaboration and to consider the actions needed to address South Africa’s evolving challenges.
NBI CEO Shameela Soobramoney used the occasion to emphasise the need for a new approach to partnership and implementation, noting that the scale and complexity of South Africa’s challenges require stronger collective action. Delivering the keynote address, Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed the importance of deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Since its establishment in 1995, the NBI has worked at the intersection of business and government to address some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges, including unemployment, inequality, energy security and the climate transition. Looking ahead, the organisation signalled an increased focus on implementation and scale, with an emphasis on turning collaboration into measurable impact.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged the NBI’s contribution over the past three decades, describing the organisation as “a respected voice of responsible business action and a powerful agent for change.” As the NBI marks this milestone, its role remains focused on convening leaders, enabling partnerships and driving collective action towards a more inclusive, resilient and competitive economy.
The NBI also acknowledges and thanks the sponsors of its 30-year milestone celebration; Nedbank, ENGIE, Exxaro Resources, Anglo American, Sasol, Sappi, Telkom, Aurex Constructors, Standard Bank, Astron Energy, Heineken and PepsiCo, for their support in making the event possible.
NBI 30 Year Journey
NBI 30 Year Anniversary Celebration Highlight Video
