On Thursday, May 22, Constitution Hill in Johannesburg came alive with bold ideas and powerful voices as changemakers, thought leaders, and citizens gathered for an Africa Day event titled, “Financing Freedom: Towards Fairer Finance and Economic Justice for Africa.”
Co-hosted by The ONE Campaign and Constitution Hill, the dialogue marked a timely and urgent call for financial reform and economic justice, as South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit. The event provided a platform to reimagine global financial systems and spotlight Africa’s demand for fairer access to capital, debt justice, and true financial sovereignty.
The conversation was moderated by award-winning writer, author, and media personality Gugu Mhlungu.
Distinguished speakers included:
- Isobel Frye, G20 Senior Policy Advisor at Oxfam South Africa, who emphasized the importance of debt relief and pro-poor policy frameworks in Africa’s recovery and resilience.
- Matsi Modise, founder and managing director of Furaha Afrika Holdings, who shared powerful insights on the barriers African entrepreneurs face due to the high cost of capital and limited financial inclusion.
- Kamal Ramburuth, G20 project lead at the Institute of Economic Justice, unpacked the opportunities for the G20 to prioritize Africa’s development agenda in multilateral financial reform.
- Dr. Rutendo Hwindingwi, CEO and founder of Tribe Africa Advisory, who challenged the audience to rethink African agency in global finance and the need for locally driven solutions.
Together, the speakers explored how African countries can push for a more equitable financial architecture, ensure fair taxation and debt practices, and expand sustainable investment to unlock the continent’s full economic potential. With the G20 Summit on the horizon, this Africa Day gathering was not only commemorative, it was also catalytic. It signaled a united and urgent message: Africa is ready to lead in reshaping the global financial system in service of people and prosperity.
