On 13 November 2025, Discovery Group partnered with the B20 South Africa Integrity & Compliance Task Force to host the latest Network for Business Integrity (NBI) workshop — a gathering focused on rebuilding trust, promoting ethical leadership, and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to play a stronger role in South Africa’s economic transformation.
The event highlighted how responsible business practices drive job creation, attract investment, and strengthen long-term economic stability. A key feature of the session was the exploration of practical tools that companies — especially SMEs — can adopt to enhance governance, boost compliance, and reduce the risk of corruption.
Discovery, a co-founding member of the NBI, reaffirmed its commitment to helping SMEs embed ethical operations by championing the use of the World Economic Forum’s Business Integrity Toolkit for Medium-Sized Enterprises, a practical framework developed to simplify whistle-blowing procedures, conflict-of-interest controls, and anti-bribery safeguards.
Originally introduced during the Brazil G20 in 2024, the NBI toolkit was created in collaboration with Transparency International and continues to serve as a vital resource for SMEs striving to strengthen internal controls. The workshop’s training sessions drew from this toolkit, offering delegates actionable guidance that any business can adopt.
As the largest economy on the continent, South Africa plays an essential role in setting the tone for ethical business practices across Africa. Discovery emphasised that integrity should be treated not just as a moral commitment, but also as a strategic advantage capable of driving sustainable growth and competitiveness.
“Integrity is not just a value — it’s a catalyst for resilience, trust, and long-term success,” said Elton Krawitz, Head of Legal at Discovery and member of the WEF Chief Legal Officers Forum. He stressed the importance of equipping SMEs with strong ethical frameworks to help them combat internal criminal behaviour and contribute to a more transparent business environment.
The B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force aims to support SMEs by helping them integrate into global supply chains, improve competitiveness, and minimise corruption risks. Discovery’s participation aligns with its long-term investment in SME development, demonstrated through partnerships with the SA SME Fund, Endeavor, and other ecosystem organisations.
Discovery CEO Adrian Gore, who chairs the SA SME Fund, continues to champion SME growth through a fund that has expanded to manage more than R3.3 billion in assets. The fund has catalysed close to R10 billion in early-stage ventures and supports accelerators, fund manager development programmes, and initiatives targeting the advancement of young black professionals.
During the workshop, APCO Worldwide Executive Director Judit Arenas emphasised the national impact of tackling corruption at the SME level:
“Supporting SMEs to fight corruption could unlock more than 20,000 jobs. The true value lies in giving small businesses the tools they could never afford on their own — making South Africa more competitive in the process.”
Discovery’s Head of Ethics, Stephan Bezuidenhout, described the workshop as the beginning of a much wider commitment:
“If we can embed integrity into the fabric of business operations, we can build a legacy of good governance that benefits future generations.”
In closing, Discovery co-founder and Endeavor Chair Barry Swartzberg reinforced that ethical decision-making is essential for survival in the modern business environment.
“Real change starts with the choices we make every day. The only way to grow a business is the ethical way,” he said, noting that Endeavor’s successful entrepreneurs exemplify the power of honesty, transparency, and accountability.
The B20 South Africa Integrity event marks an important step toward building a global network of companies, SMEs, and partners committed to ethical transformation. Future workshops will continue to equip SMEs with the frameworks, connections, and practical tools needed to strengthen governance across Africa.
