Bright Simons, President of mPedigree, has been named among the distinguished experts serving on South Africa’s National Treasury Africa Expert Panel, a key advisory body established as part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency initiative.
The announcement follows South Africa’s assumption of the G20 Presidency from December 2024 to November 2025, marking the first time G20 meetings will be hosted on African soil. This presents a historic opportunity for Africa to advocate for stronger economic representation, policy reform, and solutions to pressing financial challenges.
As Africa grapples with an unprecedented debt crisis, with an estimated $89 billion in external debt service due in 2025, the Africa Expert Panel will play a crucial role in shaping discussions on the continent’s financial sustainability. Over 20 low-income African nations are currently at risk of debt distress, and more than half of Africa’s 1.3 billion people reside in countries where interest payments exceed investments in health, education, and infrastructure.
The Africa Expert Panel will provide strategic policy recommendations, explore innovative solutions, and advocate for Africa’s developmental priorities within the G20 framework. Their goal is to enhance Africa’s influence in global economic decision-making and ensure better alignment between South Africa’s and the African Union’s positions on key issues.
Bright Simons joins a highly esteemed group of experts, including:
✔ Trevor Manuel, Chairman of Old Mutual Board (Chairperson)
✔ Joel Netshitenzhe, Executive Director, Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (Secretariat)
✔ Anthony Musonda Simpasa, Officer in Charge, Macroeconomic Policy, Debt Sustainability & Forecasting, African Development Bank
✔ Carlos Lopes, Honorary Professor, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town
South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, expressed appreciation to the panel members, emphasizing the importance of their work:
“On behalf of the people of South Africa, I want to thank each panel member for accepting the invitation to serve on the Africa Expert Panel. I am confident that their insights and expertise will shape Africa’s economic, development, and financial engagements within such a crucial global forum as the G20.”
The Africa Expert Panel will produce a High-Level Report outlining recommendations to improve coordination and representation of Africa’s interests on the global stage. This initiative reaffirms the growing demand for a reformed, inclusive global economic system that prioritizes Africa’s development.