Pretoria: Deputy President Paul Mashatile met with Visa executives on the sidelines of the Business 20 (B20) Summit to discuss ongoing support and commitment to improving local infrastructure and the digital environment. The meeting took place at OR Tambo House in Pretoria and included discussions with Tareq Muhmood, Visa's Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and Bobby Thomson, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs.
According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting reaffirmed Visa's long-term commitment to South Africa, bolstered by a R1 billion investment over the next three years. A key aspect of this investment is the establishment of South Africa's first domestic Visa data centre, which launched in June and is the first of its kind in Africa. Deputy President Mashatile expressed gratitude for Visa's initiatives, emphasizing their potential to enhance economic development and sustainability.
The Deputy President highlighted the significance of Visa's partnership, noting that the collaboration will localise transaction processing, improve payment service reliability, and support innovations such as digital wallets. He emphasized that this effort will empower small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen township economies, and promote youth development through training and mentorship programs.
Mashatile concluded the meeting by inviting Visa executives to participate in the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference. He encouraged their participation as an opportunity to explore further areas of investment and partnership beneficial to both Visa and South Africa, especially its youth.
The B20 Summit 2025, a significant event marking the first time an African country hosts the Group of 20 (G20), gathered international business leaders, policymakers, and global partners to discuss the theme: 'Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity through Global Cooperation'. This high-level event serves as the culmination of a year of policy dialogue and task force engagement, providing a platform for global dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and shared learning.