G20 Foundations And South Africa’s Presidency
Introduction
As South Africa prepares to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on 22–23 November 2025, it steps into a historic role as the first African nation to chair this influential forum. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” South Africa’s presidency aims to amplify African priorities—debt relief, climate resilience, and inclusive growth—while navigating a complex global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and high-profile absences.
The G20’s Origins And Evolution
The G20, established in 1999, emerged as a response to the Asian financial crisis, initially convening finance ministers and central bank governors to stabilise global markets. Comprising 19 countries—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States—plus the European Union and, since 2023, the African Union, the G20 represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.
The forum’s scope expanded significantly after the 2008 global financial crisis, elevating to a leaders’ platform with the Washington Summit. Key milestones include the 2010 Toronto Summit, which secured pledges for economic recovery, and the 2023 New Delhi Summit, which prioritised the Global South and formalised the African Union’s permanent membership—a landmark for African representation. The G20+ mechanism, incorporating guest nations and organisations, has further broadened inclusivity, though critics argue it remains dominated by Global North interests.
Africa’s engagement has grown steadily. South Africa, the continent’s sole member until the AU’s inclusion, has leveraged its position to advocate for debt sustainability and trade equity. The AU’s 2023 seat, championed by India’s presidency, ensures broader African perspectives, aligning with initiatives like Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
South Africa’s 2025 Presidency: Themes And Priorities
South Africa’s G20 presidency, running from 01 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, builds on its foreign policy pillars: national interests, African advancement, South-South cooperation, and multilateral reform. The theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” reflects a commitment to inclusive recovery, reduced disparities, and environmental resilience, resonating with global challenges like economic instability, climate change, and inequality.
Solidarity
This pillar emphasises collective action for global economic stability. South Africa has prioritised debt relief for low-income countries, advocating for climate-resilient debt clauses and improved sovereign credit ratings. The G20–Africa High-Level Dialogue on Debt Sustainability laid groundwork for these reforms, with Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz’s report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 04 November 2025 proposing debt pauses during climate crises. Ministerial meetings, such as the February 2025 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, have also advanced anti-corruption measures and pandemic preparedness, critical for African nations facing resource constraints.
Equality
Addressing global and regional disparities, South Africa champions gender-inclusive growth and youth empowerment. The Empowerment of Women Working Group has proposed initiatives for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, while the Free State G20 Education Indaba highlighted the need for foundational learning, noting that only 1 in 10 African fourth-graders can read a simple story. The presidency also promotes AfCFTA integration to boost intra-African trade, aligning with B20 recommendations on investment and digital economy access.
Sustainability
Climate resilience is central, with South Africa advocating for just energy transitions and adaptation funding. The G20 Investment Forum is expected to unlock private capital for African energy projects, supporting the AU’s vaccine manufacturing goals and infrastructure resilience. These align with Conference of the Parties (COP) outcomes and the UN 2030 Agenda, though progress hinges on overcoming geopolitical divides.
Early Outcomes And Preparatory Engagements
South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency has delivered substantial progress despite a challenging geopolitical environment. Ministerial declarations emphasise sustainable finance (including the first G20 Declaration on Debt Sustainability and the Africa Engagement Framework 2026–2030), AI governance (Chair’s Statement on equitable and trustworthy AI, Data Governance Annex, and UNESCO public-sector AI toolkit), and health equity (Outcome Document advancing primary health care, NCD roadmaps, and health-climate integration despite U.S.-Argentina blocks on full consensus).
The T20 Summit (13–14 November, Johannesburg) synthesised over 350 policy briefs into a comprehensive Communiqué, with strong recommendations on reducing inequality (wealth redistribution, industrialisation, and alignment with Agenda 2063) and inclusive digital transformation (ethical AI, open-source DPI, and bridging the global digital divide).
The Fourth Sherpa Meeting (16–19 November, Johannesburg) is currently finalising the Leaders’ Declaration through line-by-line negotiations, integrating Finance Track deliverables, task-force priorities, and working-group outcomes.
However, challenges loom. The absence of key leaders—US President Donald Trump, China’s President Xi Jinping, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and Argentina’s President Javier Milei—reduces the summit’s political weight. President Trump’s boycott, announced on 07 November 2025, cites baseless claims of abuses in South Africa, while President Milei’s absence aligns with US scepticism toward multilateralism. China’s delegation, led by Premier Li Qiang, and Russia’s, led by Maxim Oreshkin, reflect strategic downgrades, potentially limiting consensus on debt relief and climate finance.
Johannesburg Summit: Agenda And African Priorities
The Johannesburg Summit, hosted at the Nasrec Expo Centre, will focus on economic resilience, digital innovation, and African development. Key agenda items include:
- Debt Sustainability: Proposals for debt restructuring and private capital mobilisation, building on Stiglitz’s recommendations.
- Climate Finance: Pledges for adaptation funding and energy transitions, critical for Africa’s vulnerability to climate shocks.
- Digital Economy: AI ethics, connectivity, and data innovation to bridge Africa’s digital divide.
- Health and Trade: Vaccine manufacturing and AfCFTA integration to enhance African sovereignty.
The B20 Summit (18–20 November) at Sandton Convention Centre will feed business recommendations into these discussions, with task forces on trade, investment, and sustainability emphasising inclusive growth. The G20 Social Summit (18–20 November) will amplify civil society voices, while side events like the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit underscore investment opportunities.
Africa’s priorities align with broader Global South goals. The AU’s permanent seat strengthens its advocacy for equitable trade and IMF quota reforms, while South Africa’s leadership aims to elevate AfCFTA as a global trade framework. However, domestic challenges—urban decay, security concerns, and corruption allegations involving over ZAR 100-million in G20 funds—risk overshadowing Pretoria’s efforts.
Geopolitical Context And Challenges
The summit unfolds amid heightened tensions. The US boycott, supported by Argentina, and debates over South Africa’s G20 membership—fuelled by its GDP decline to around 40th globally—threaten to derail consensus. President Trump’s claims of minority persecution, refuted by Pretoria, reflect broader US-South Africa strains, including trade disputes and land reform misconceptions. China’s and Russia’s lower-level representation further complicates negotiations, particularly on climate and health.
Yet, opportunities remain. South Africa’s neutral foreign policy and AU synergies position it to bridge divides, fostering South-South cooperation. The Johannesburg Summit will conclude with a formal handover of the G20 presidency to the US for 2026, including transition priorities on economic stability and global governance reform. From an African perspective, this handover underscores the need for sustained Global South momentum, with South Africa advocating for continuity in inequality reduction and sustainability efforts as the forum shifts to US leadership.
Looking Ahead
The Johannesburg Summit offers a pivotal moment for African agency in global governance. While absences of key leaders temper expectations, South Africa’s presidency has already advanced African priorities through ministerial outcomes and engagement groups. Success will depend on navigating geopolitical frictions and domestic challenges to deliver a communiqué that reflects “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” As the first G20 on African soil, it underscores the continent’s growing influence, setting the stage for future multilateral reforms.
