From executive days to transformative summits, CFOs across South Africa debated growth, youth unemployment, sustainability and the evolving finance profession.
CFO South Africa’s 2025 event line-up brought together the country’s top financial leaders for candid conversations about strategy, sustainability, technology and the future of work. Looking back, these gatherings served as a critical pulse check for the country's most influential decision-makers.
At the 2025 CFO Day, held at the Marriott Melrose Arch, finance leaders explored how CFOs are shaping transformation through communication, AI integration and human-centred leadership. Discussions highlighted the CFO’s role as value creator and “translation officer”.
2025 Executive Day challenged leaders to reimagine South Africa’s future. Under the theme Renewing our social contracts, CFOs, CIOs and CHROs unpacked digital transformation, ethical leadership, menopause in the boardroom and executive loneliness, closing with bold visions for the country in 2035.
Melrose Arch came alive during the 2025 Pitch Parade, where CFOs and industry innovators swapped ideas under the glowing Jozi sky. Quickfire pitches and relaxed networking made for an energetic evening of inspiration.
On 16 October 2025, thousands of finance professionals converged at the Sandton Convention Centre for the 2025 Finance Indaba, billed as Africa’s biggest finance conference and expo. Attendees weaved between ballrooms and boardrooms to participate in sessions that featured themes such as cost optimisation, digital transformation, sustainability and the future of the CFO role.
Mike Davis, group CFO at Nedbank, opened proceedings, sharing vivid stories from past challenges to show that risk management and leadership are lessons learnt through experience.
“One of the toughest things for me was that decision to relocate to Johannesburg. You can imagine, when you move together through M&A activity, you end up in a position where you effectively end up competing for the same role when you merge organisations. You’ve got to put your head down and demonstrate through that process that you’re the right person for the job,” he said.
Fondly known as the “Oscars of Finance”, the 2025 CFO Awards wrapped up a bumper CFO season. On the evening of 11 November, the elegant Polo Room at Sandton’s Inanda Club exuded glitz, glamour and sophistication, as top finance leaders celebrated the nation’s brightest financial minds.
The prestigious event drew a distinguished crowd, with gentlemen donning classic black tuxedos and ladies gracing the occasion in sweeping ballroom gowns. While there were hat tricks for some, history was made for others.
