Turning G20 into a job-creation engine: Lessons from India's one million jobs project

As South Africa is gearing up to host the world’s leaders at the G20 Plenary Summit in November 2025, one question looms large — how can we leverage the world’s attention to boost job creation and grow the economy inclusively? There are many lessons to be applied in leveraging the G20 presidency for job creation - in particular India’s 2023 hosting offers a compelling job creation blueprint for South Africa.

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By focusing on infrastructure, tourism, foreign investment, SME development, and workforce upskilling, India created over one million jobs before, during, and after the summit. South Africa can replicate and refine this model to leave a lasting economic impact.

Here's how South Africa can maximize the G20 opportunity for job creation.

Infrastructure Development: A Boom for Construction and Urban Jobs

Hosting the G20 required significant investments in infrastructure across major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Varanasi. The Indian government fast-tracked projects such as:

■ Expansion and beautification of New Delhi's Pragati Maidan, the primary summit venue.

■ Airport upgrades, including Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, to accommodate global leaders.

■ Smart city enhancements, including better waste management, green spaces, and street lighting.

Job Creation Impact

■ Over 200 000 direct jobs were created in construction, engineering, and urban planning.

■ Indirect employment opportunities emerged in cement, steel, logistics, and real estate.

■ The hospitality sector also saw job growth, with hotels hiring additional staff for maintenance and event hosting.

Long-Term Impact

Many of these infrastructure developments continue to benefit the economy, boosting real estate values and improving urban living standards.

South Africa’s Job Creation Opportunity

Hosting the G20 provides a strong business case for accelerating infrastructure projects that will create thousands of jobs in:

■ Transport & logistics - Road and rail expansion to improve trade routes.

■ Energy sector - Renewable energy projects to tackle power shortages.