Championing Africa’s voice in global governance

South Africa’s G20 presidency is a defining moment not just for the country, but for the African continent. As G20 president, South Africa is uniquely positioned to champion the priorities of emerging economies and to drive the African development agenda within the G20 framework.

The G20 is an important vehicle to amplify the voices of emerging economies and champion a global agenda rooted in sustainable development and inclusive progress. South Africa aims to foster collaborative solutions that reflect the shared aspirations of developing economy countries, while reshaping the global discourse around equity, resilience and
sustainability.

When South Africa assumed the G20 presidency in December 2024, it responded to the precarious global climate with the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’. 

The G20 is the premier forum of economic cooperation, concerned with the stewardship of the global economy, especially during crises such as the 2008 global economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. The G20 is not an alternative to the United Nations but an informal grouping complementing the work of the UN. This has enabled the G20 to be agile during times of crisis and a catalyst for change in the global governance system.

At the core of our presidency is how the G20 should collectively respond to create an environment of inclusive economic growth, reduced inequality and sustainable development, especially in the Global South and the African continent. South Africa has built on the developmental agenda advanced by the presidencies of Indonesia, India and Brazil.

The strategic priorities of South
Africa’s G20 presidency include:

• Strengthening disaster resilience and response: Calling for global cooperation–including financial institutions and the private sector–to scale up post-disaster reconstruction.
• Ensuring debt sustainability for developing economies: Advancing solutions for high deficits and liquidity challenges, extending debt relief and addressing the cost of capital.
• Mobilising finance for a just energy transition: Seeking increased climate finance flows to developing economies, strengthening multilateral development banks and leveraging private capital for initiatives like the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
• Leveraging critical minerals for inclusive growth: Promoting value addition near extraction sites and developing low-carbon manufacturing chains. South Africa aims to champion the use of critical minerals as engines for growth and development in Africa.

We have also established three task forces focusing on inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, employment and reduced inequality; food security; and artificial intelligence, data governance and innovation for sustainable development.

We are working with the African Union, now a member of the G20, to amplify Africa’s voice in global economic governance, ensuring that the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South are firmly on the G20 agenda.

To translate policy frameworks into impact, South Africa’s presidency is championing an elevated and broadened Compact with Africa initiative, driven by the AU’s Agenda 2063.

Following Brazil’s example, South Africa will host a G20 Social Summit, expanding outreach beyond the established G20 engagement groups to civil society organisations, think tanks and academia from across the world.

The challenges confronting the world can only be resolved through cooperation, collaboration and partnership. South Africa has sought to play a bridge-building role during its presidency, addressing geopolitical tensions in an effort to reach consensus on the G20’s priorities and deliverables.

We believe we can deliver a transformative G20 presidency and leave a permanent legacy for the African
continent, the Global South and the global community of nations.