Cape Town set to host the B20 Summit as South Africa leads a historic G20 Presidency
SanlamAllianz, the joint venture between Sanlam Group and Allianz Group, has been announced as the lead sponsor of the B20 Summit 2025, an official G20 engagement group that represents the voice of business in shaping global economic policy. The Summit is scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, as the country assumes its first-ever G20 Presidency—a significant milestone for both South Africa and the African continent.
Africa at the Centre of Global Policy: A First for the G20
South Africa took over the G20 Presidency in December 2024, with the term running until November 2025. This marks the first time an African nation is hosting the forum that accounts for 85% of global GDP, over 75% of world trade, and two-thirds of the global population. The 2025 G20 theme, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” reflects a continued effort to position the Global South—and particularly Africa—as a co-architect of inclusive and sustainable global development.
Complementing this vision, the B20 Summit—the G20’s dialogue forum with the global business community—will focus on “Inclusive Growth and Prosperity through Global Cooperation.” SanlamAllianz’s sponsorship aligns with this ambition, signalling a shift toward African-led economic leadership on the global stage.
SanlamAllianz: A Strategic Pan-African Sponsor
The sponsorship from SanlamAllianz brings together the strengths of two major financial giants. Sanlam, headquartered in South Africa and present in 31 countries across Africa, Asia, and the UK, is the largest non-banking pan-African financial services group. With a history of over 100 years, Sanlam operates through business clusters in life insurance, general insurance, asset and wealth management, retail credit, and more. The group touches over 92 million lives across its markets and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Namibian Stock Exchange, and A2X.
On the other hand, Allianz brings a global dimension to the partnership. Operating in nearly 70 countries with around 128 million clients, Allianz is one of the world’s largest insurers and asset managers. Its global influence—combined with Sanlam’s deep African footprint—positions SanlamAllianz as a powerful force to mobilise investment, facilitate trade, and expand financial inclusion across the continent.
“Our participation is more than a sponsorship. It is a strategic opportunity to showcase the strength and capabilities of Africa’s leaders,” said Paul Hanratty, CEO of Sanlam Group.
Hanratty has also been appointed Chair of the B20 Employment and Education Task Force, one of eight policy-focused working groups established to develop recommendations ahead of the G20 Summit. In this role, he will engage with African and global stakeholders to address skills development, youth unemployment, and education reform—areas critical to long-term, inclusive economic growth.
A Platform to Empower Generations Across Africa
Sanlam’s guiding purpose is to empower generations to be financially confident, secure, and prosperous. This mission aligns with the B20’s goal to drive equitable prosperity. By helping shape policies on employment and education, SanlamAllianz hopes to leverage its reach in eight of Africa’s ten largest economies to promote growth that resonates with the needs of both businesses and communities.
“The African continent stands as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, characterised by a dynamic, youthful workforce and extraordinary potential,” said Christopher Townsend, Member of the Board of Management at Allianz SE and Chairperson of SanlamAllianz. “We are immensely proud to be the lead sponsor of the B20 and look forward to working with business and government leaders to propel this future market forward.”
With Allianz managing over 2.6 trillion euros in client and third-party assets through subsidiaries like PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors, the partnership adds robust financial muscle to policy ambitions. Through its investment and insurance frameworks, SanlamAllianz aims to drive economic resilience, support job creation, and protect African livelihoods in a fast-changing global economy.
Building on a Global South Momentum
The 2025 G20 Summit builds on a new wave of global south leadership following India, Indonesia, and Brazil’s recent G20 presidencies. SanlamAllianz’s engagement through the B20 deepens this trajectory, pushing forward a continental vision for inclusive development, sustainable finance, and long-term stability.
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