The National Business Initiative (NBI) is a voluntary coalition of South African and multinational companies, working towards sustainable growth and development in South Africa and the shaping of a sustainable future through responsible business action, thereby demonstrating business action for sustainable growth. Since their inception in 1995, the NBI has made a distinct impact in, amongst others, the spheres of housing delivery, crime prevention, local economic development, public sector capacity building, further education and Training, schooling, public private partnerships, energy efficiency and climate change.

The NBI is a global network partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the focal point of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Local Network in South Africa and an implementation partner of the CEO Water Mandate, We Mean Business and the CDP.

The NBI’s strategy is addressing issues of Economic Transition and Social Transformation through Thought Leadership, Capacity Building and Collective Action programmes and projects. To achieve their  strategic objectives the NBI work is divided into core work streams of strategic projects, environmental sustainability and social sustainability.