Sponsored

Shamith Maharaj Acting Managing Executive: Public Sector, BCX

South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025 is more than a diplomatic milestone. It is a moment to reshape the global conversation on inclusion, sustainability and growth through the lens of innovation. As public sector technologists, we are uniquely positioned at the nexus of infrastructure, governance and digital transformation.

The scale of the opportunity is significant. South Africa’s digital economy alone could unlock up to R1.5 trillion in value by 2030. When aligned with G20 ambitions, this opportunity extends far beyond our borders. The G20 represents 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population. Its 2025 theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, is a call to action that places public institutions and their digital foundations at the centre of global development.

Technology sits at the heart of every priority in this year’s G20 agenda. Whether the focus is on reforming global financial systems, building resilience to climate impacts, expanding equitable growth, or unlocking sustainable finance, digital tools are not peripheral. They are pivotal. They enable faster delivery, smarter decisions and broader inclusion.

This is especially true in the context of Digital Public Infrastructure. Secure identity platforms, real-time-payment systems and interoperable data networks form the invisible rails of a modern state. Together, these systems enable smarter public services, direct welfare delivery and connected governance. They are live infrastructure, already transforming lives where properly implemented.

BCX has long championed this evolution in South Africa’s public sector. From securing national platforms to modernising legacy systems and expanding rural connectivity, we have seen what becomes possible when digital investments align with developmental goals. These are the systems that make government more responsive, transparent and inclusive.

The G20 TechSprint 2025, hosted by the South African Reserve Bank, is another compelling example of technology’s strategic role. By challenging global innovators to build solutions for open finance, fraud detection and digital identity, it demonstrates how tools like blockchain and AI can reinforce public trust. These technologies, when integrated thoughtfully, support greater financial inclusion, safer transactions and more equitable access to economic participation.

This is where strong collaboration between the public and private sectors becomes essential. Policy enables innovation. Technology delivers it. At BCX, we are building the infrastructure that underpins trust, interoperability and resilience in public service delivery. Our work across digital identity, secure cloud environments and sustainable data services is grounded in a commitment to national priorities and global standards.

Technology’s role in climate adaptation is just as vital. The G20’s emphasis on resilience and just energy transitions depends on robust data, predictive tools and systems that can measure and respond to risk in realtime. From early warning systems to smart infrastructure that reduces emissions and resource consumption, digital capability is an essential lever for climate response.

Whether through IoT sensors that optimise municipal water use or platforms that enable real-time analytics in public health and energy, we see first-hand the potential of tech-driven climate resilience.

However, transformation is not just about systems. It’s about people. Across Africa, the digital divide continues to hinder opportunity. Skills shortages are one of the most urgent barriers to inclusive digital growth. Building a digital economy that is inclusive and equitable requires more than connectivity. It requires capacity, confidence and capability. The G20’s focus on digital inclusion aligns directly with this need, and BCX is proud to partner with public institutions to build a digitally literate, future-ready workforce. 

As South Africa leads the G20 for the first time, we carry the hopes of a continent that knows the cost of exclusion and the value of having a voice. We have a chance to reshape the global digital agenda to better reflect the realities of the Global South. That means ensuring reforms, frameworks and funding mechanisms don’t only work for those already ahead, but create room for more equitable development everywhere.

Technology is our vehicle to get there. Public institutions are the drivers. The systems we design, the policies we implement and the partnerships we build will determine whether the digital era delivers for all.

At BCX, we are committed to enabling that future securely, sustainably and at scale. We will continue to support government in modernising infrastructure, expanding digital access and embedding innovation that works in service of the people.

This is South Africa’s moment to lead. Let us embed technology as the cornerstone of an inclusive, sustainable future.

www.bcx.co.za