The G20 Summit: A new era for Africa in global affairs

The 20th G20 Summit opened in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday under the theme 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,' marking the first-ever G20 gathering in Africa and highlighting the continent's rising influence in global governance as the African Union holds permanent membership since 2023. World leaders convened for the two-day event to tackle pressing issues like sluggish economic recovery, geopolitical tensions, and widening development gaps, despite the United States' absence, aiming to foster multilateralism and reform global governance. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized integrating Global South and African priorities into the G20 agenda, portraying Africa as an emerging force rather than a peripheral actor. Experts and officials, including Peter Kagwanja from the Africa Policy Institute, described Africa's shift from a 'hopeless' to a 'hopeful' continent, supported by projected GDP growth of 4.2% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026, bolstered by natural resources, a vast market, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. Since assuming the G20 presidency in December, South Africa hosted over 130 meetings to amplify African and Global South voices. The summit stressed the need for solidarity, equality, and sustainability amid unprecedented global changes, with Ramaphosa calling for cooperation to address shared challenges. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, meeting Ramaphosa, pledged enhanced coordination in the G20, support for multilateral trade, global governance reforms, and protection of developing countries' interests, while urging commitment to free trade and an open economy. The G20's expanded agenda now covers sustainable development, science, technology, agriculture, energy, and climate action, focusing on four priorities: strengthening disaster resilience, promoting debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilizing finance for just energy transitions, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth. Statements from Angolan President Joao Lourenco (AU Chair) and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored calls for reforming international financial architecture, bolstering the WTO, and ensuring Africa's voice in global policies for more inclusive governance. The summit aligned African Ubuntu philosophy ('I am because we are') with China's vision of a shared future, noting synergies between China's 10 partnership plans and the AU's Agenda 2063. China released an action plan for the G20 Initiative on Supporting Industrialisation in Africa and Least Developed Countries, resonating with attendees and reinforcing strong China-Africa ties, including trade, political relations, and multilateral cooperation, positioning the event as a catalyst for fairer global economic order and common development.