The Layman

Baneng served as a panellist at the second edition of the World Youth Forum, held in Sharm El Sheikh from 3–6 November 2018. The event brought together more than 5,000 young people from diverse nationalities and backgrounds to engage, connect, and exchange ideas. In its second year, the Forum reaffirmed its role as a global platform for youth to voice their perspectives on pressing global challenges. The 2018 programme offered numerous opportunities for meaningful participation through panels, roundtables, and workshops.

Baneng served as a panellist at the 8th Post‑Budget Dialogue hosted by the University of South Africa, where he offered expert insights during a session titled “Tax Administration 3.0 – Building a Digitally‑Enabled Revenue System.” Held in Pretoria on 6 March 2026, the dialogue convened economists, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how digital innovation can enhance South Africa’s tax administration. During the dialogue, Baneng engaged in conversations on the strategic role of fiscal policy in shaping South Africa’s path toward sustainable and inclusive growth by 2030.

Baneng delivered a keynote address at the “World Economic Forum 2026: The Post‑Davos Horizon” seminar hosted by the University of Limpopo’s School of Accountancy on 20 February 2026. In his address, he unpacked the key outcomes of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos and examined their implications for sustainability, economic resilience, and inclusive growth across the Global South.

In 2019, Baneng served as a panellist at the Nedbank Post‑Budget Breakfast held in Cape Town. His participation on the panel was secured following his victory in the prestigious Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition, which recognised his outstanding analytical insight and ability to communicate complex fiscal issues with clarity. During the session, Baneng contributed to an in‑depth discussion on South Africa’s fiscal outlook, including the country’s rising debt trajectory and its long‑term sustainability.

Baneng presented his research findings at the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference and the 19th Annual Conference on Competition Law, Economics, and Policy, held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9–11 September 2025. At the event, Baneng delivered two papers: one analysing the stock market’s response to merger announcements, and another examining whether public interest commitments advance economic inclusion in South Africa.