Key Points
• Wanblad urges collaboration between governments, business and civil society to drive sustainable growth.
• He calls on governments to reform and create long-term investment opportunities.
• Businesses and civil society must act to reduce inequality and implement practical solutions.
Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad said sustainable and inclusive economic growth depends on strong partnerships.
He delivered the message during his speech, Navigating Complexity: Building Inclusive Growth in a Fragmented World, on the second day of the B20 Summit in South Africa.
The summit, part of South Africa’s G20 presidency, brings together global business leaders, policymakers and partners for dialogue and collaboration.
Wanblad said the past few years have presented relentless challenges. These include inflation, uneven pandemic recovery, fragile supply chains, geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts. Many of these issues have directly affected Africa.
Inequality slows development
Wanblad said these crises revealed structural inequality. He cited a recent B20 report showing that 83 percent of countries, representing 90 percent of the global population, face very high levels of income inequality.
The situation is worse in the Global South. There, lack of infrastructure and high borrowing costs hinder growth and increase dependency.
Wanblad warned, “This is not just a moral concern; it is a serious economic constraint.” He added that inequality slows development and limits governments’ ability to build foundations for sustainable growth.
Roles of government, business and civil society
Wanblad called on governments to drive reform agendas that are fair, democratic and focused on long-term development.
He urged business leaders to act with purpose, promote investment in high-impact industries and remain accountable. Civil society must advocate for equity and transparency while helping implement practical solutions.
He stressed that private-public collaboration is essential in education, healthcare, skills development, arts and culture, and innovation.
Businesses of all sizes must thrive, and governments should create regulatory environments that support long-term investment.
Mining sector and legacy projects
Wanblad gave examples from the mining sector. He said governments should provide incentives for new projects, establish transparent cadastre systems and build local value chains.
Anglo American participates in a post-mining successor economies project. The initiative leverages existing mining land and infrastructure to develop alternative industries and support communities after mining ends.
Wanblad concluded that inclusive and sustainable growth requires coordinated efforts from governments, business and civil society to unlock Africa’s full potential.
