Yvonne Mothibi, Chief Executive Officer

The Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) has called on risk professionals to play a proactive role in ensuring the successful implementation of the commitments made in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA). While the President outlined ambitious plans for economic growth, infrastructure investment, and public sector reform, effective risk management will be critical to translating these commitments into sustainable progress.

IRMSA CEO Yvonne Mothibi says without a structured, risk-resilient approach, the country risks losing investment confidence, facing ongoing infrastructure failures, and struggling with regulatory uncertainty. “The risk community has a duty to step up—not just in mitigating threats but in shaping how businesses and government address economic, structural, and governance risks,” says Mothibi.

She noted that while the government’s target of 3% economic growth and R100 billion in infrastructure financing signals renewed optimism, challenges such as macroeconomic instability, rising inflation, and evolving trade dynamics could create volatility. Businesses must prepare for regulatory changes, supply chain disruptions, and shifting investment priorities, with risk professionals playing a leading role in scenario planning and financial risk oversight.

The government’s stabilisation of Eskom and Transnet is a positive step, but energy, water, and transport infrastructure remain vulnerable. Businesses should prioritise supply chain resilience, alternative energy strategies, and infrastructure risk mitigation to safeguard operations. Meanwhile, new anti-corruption and financial crime initiatives, including the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), mean companies must tighten compliance, adopt fraud detection tools, and ensure governance structures are robust to align with heightened enforcement measures.

Workforce risks are also a growing concern, with labour law changes, employment equity regulations, and wage pressures expected to impact business operations. Companies must navigate union negotiations, workforce planning, and public procurement shifts while remaining compliant with new employment policies.

Mothibi urged business leaders, policymakers, and industry bodies to collaborate on a national risk resilience strategy to ensure SONA’s commitments translate into long-term economic stability. “Risk professionals must be at the forefront of this process,” she concluded. “By embedding risk intelligence into national priorities, we can secure sustainable growth and a more resilient South Africa.”