CFOs Take the Lead: Highlights from the 2025 CFO Round Table – CFO Investment
CFOs Take the Lead: Highlights from the 2025 CFO Round Table – CFO Investment
On Thursday, 15 May 2025, over 30 of South Africa’s most forward-thinking CFOs gathered in Cape Town for a powerful event that is already being recognised as a turning point in the way finance leaders engage with investment, infrastructure, and economic development.
Hosted by the CFO Club | CIBA and powered by Sage, the 2025 CFO Round Table: CFO Investment wasn’t a traditional conference. It was a strategic, high-trust forum designed to position CFOs not just as financial stewards—but as growth architects and public-private collaborators.
Setting the Stage: Cape Town, Western Cape
Held at the sophisticated Urban Umami venue in Century City, the event brought together CFOs from commerce, public entities, and key strategic sectors. The backdrop? A Western Cape economy that contributes 14% to South Africa’s GDP, with enormous untapped potential in trade, tourism, agri-processing, and logistics.
The roundtable was convened around a powerful idea:
CFOs must move from managing capital to directing it, into infrastructure, innovation, and long-term growth.
Key Themes: Influence, Investment & Alignment
The event centred on four urgent and interconnected themes:
1. Attracting Capital & Aligning with FDI Strategy
2. Tech-Enabled Financial Leadership in Uncertain Markets
3. Preparing CFOs for Executive-Level Influence
4. Public-Private Collaboration to Drive Regional Growth
Insights from the Speakers
Sandiso Gcwabe, CFO – Wesgro
Sandiso opened the event with a compelling overview of Wesgro’s global footprint, 75 international missions and 48 countries actively engaged. He underscored the need for CFOs to plug into the province’s FDI strategy, align with export incentives, and think internationally when planning capital.
“We’re not just showcasing the Western Cape to the world, we’re bringing the world to the Western Cape. CFOs must position themselves within that global opportunity.”
Gerhard Hartman, VP Africa & Middle East – Sage
Gerhard delivered a sharp, tech-forward session on how CFOs are leveraging ERP systems, automation, and AI to not only reduce inefficiency but to build investment readiness. His message: systems matter. A digitally mature finance function signals competence, trust, and transparency to investors.
“CFOs are the interpreters of digital transformation. The systems you build today will determine your agility tomorrow.”
Leana van der Merwe, Technical Manager – CIBA
Leana addressed the growing need for executive-level development in the profession. She unpacked how CIBA’s Chartered CFO designation prepares finance professionals to engage confidently in governance, compliance, and strategy at the highest level.
“We’re moving CFOs from reporting on policy to helping shape it. That requires technical skill and leadership readiness.”
Nicolaas van Wyk, CEO – CIBA
Nicolaas set the tone early with a bold challenge to CFOs: stop reacting, start influencing. He championed the CFO’s role in infrastructure conversations, policy planning, and capital alignment, while introducing how CIBA’s member-led model empowers finance leaders to drive public-private outcomes.
“CFOs are no longer just back-office operators. They are the custodians of strategy, stability, and impact.”
The Cocktail Function: Where the Magic Happened
After the formal sessions, attendees moved into a relaxed cocktail setting, and that’s when the real alchemy began.
Without scripts or slides, CFOs connected candidly. Deals were sparked. Partnerships formed. Insights shared. In many ways, the cocktail function was the embodiment of what CIBA set out to create:
A space where finance leaders collaborate, influence, and lead, without pressure, pretence, or performance.
Why This Round Table Matters
The CFO Round Table is more than an event. It’s a movement toward reimagining what it means to be a CFO in South Africa, and across Africa.
We believe finance leaders must:
- Influence public-private alignment
- Drive infrastructure-informed strategy
- Build governance into growth
- And invest not just in numbers—but in economic outcomes
In a time of constrained capital and growing complexity, the CFO is no longer just the person who closes the books. They are the ones who open doors to what’s next.
Thank You
To our speakers, attendees, and strategic partner Sage—thank you for your leadership, your insight, and your willingness to think boldly.
CIBA remains committed to creating spaces where CFOs can lead the future of business, policy, and development—together.
Stay tuned for the next regional roundtable, and follow us as we continue building a stronger, more coordinated community of CFOs who don’t just balance the books, they balance the economy.
Read the event post here:
Want to be part of the next roundtable?
Keep your eyes peeled on your inbox for the next invitation to take place in Cape Town soon.
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