World
BRICS+ and G20: Competing or Collaborating for Global South
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa heads G20, an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 sovereign countries, the European Union, and the African Union, while Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva chairs BRICS+, an association made of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa with four new members and 13 partner states in a category mostly from developing countries.
At a quick glance, the G20 and BRICS+ are respectively chaired this year 2025 by South Africa and Brazil, both BRICS+ members, which makes it distinctively important development for the changing geopolitical world. In 2025, G20 and BRICS+ agenda features a pivotal role and pledge to continue making concerted strides, either in keen competition for economic revitalization or in close collaboration as development players, in the Global South.
Historically, G20 was created back in 1999 as a group of twenty of the world’s largest economies to deal primarily with multifaceted aspects of existing global economic, trade, health, climate change and political issues. Dissatisfied with the global dominance of the United States and the stack failure of leaders of developing countries, especially in Africa, to raise their economic status to an appreciable levels and improve standards of living for the largely impoverished population, BRIC appeared in 2009, in city of Yekaterinburg, Russia.
South Africa ascended in 2010, transforming it into BRICS. As popularly now referred to as BRICS+, its key objective aspiration is to support building a better economic architecture for the Global South. In addition, BRICS+, as a non-western association, operates against western hegemony and uni-polar, rules-based system. Its key priority aims at shaping a more equitable and a more balanced global order while collaborating with developing countries in raising their economic status in the Global South.
An insight into G20 and BRICS+ including its “partner states” category shows the huge economic structure, the natural and human resources necessary for the future of mankind. We have observed several discussions, at highest levels these several years, on intensifying whatever political dialogue and exchange of views, economic collaborations and interactions on bilateral and multilateral mechanisms for developing better conditions in the Global South. Bridging the economic and standards of living gap have been on the agenda for both G20 and BRICS+ during previous years.
Every year, the leaders of G20 members meet to discuss mainly economic and financial matters and coordinate policy on some other issues of mutual interest. Every year, BRICS+ members summit features extensive deliberations on the United States global dominance and hegemony, without adequately addressing economic lapses in the developing Global South. Several summit declarations have adopted in that directions, but remain purely as collective declarations.
G20 and BRICS+ agenda in 2025?
As geopolitical situation heightens, G20 and BRICS+ are championing its a fresh version of governance reforms in their ways, and further reviewing the current operations of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF)and the World Bank for developing countries in the Global South. Despite these common goals, G20 and BRICS+ still have the main points of discontention. BRICS+ shares, in its declarations, dissatisfaction over over-exploitation of resources in and rules-based approach towards developing world.
In the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation’s media release in January 2025, titled “The G20 is made up of 13 Engagement Groups”, stated that “South Africa fully supports the approach of strengthening partnerships and expanding dialogue with a wide range of actors; including States, international organizations and civil society; to collectively shape the G20’s approach to issues requiring international cooperation.” (South Africa’s chairmanship of G20, Jan. 2025)
It further recognizes the significant strides made by the Brazilian G20 presidency (2024) in enhancing the G20 as a site of democratic global engagement. The South African presidency will continue this trajectory. In South Africa’s G20 presidency, further modalities will be developed to involve a wide range of stakeholders throughout the year, particularly on priority initiatives. Until the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025, South Africa is expected to bring together representatives of the existing engagement groups and other segments of civil society that may offer meaningful contributions to the G20.
For the BRICS+ agenda, focus is placed on the need to reform the current international financial architecture to meet the global financial challenges. As already explained, the measures are to facilitate the development of the economy, international trade, and the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
In addition to the financial architecture, BRICS+ has agreed to discuss and study the feasibility of establishment of an independent cross-border settlement and depositary infrastructure, an initiative to complement the existing financial market infrastructure, as well as independent reinsurance capacity and the possibility of expanding innovative financial practices and approaches for projects and programmes, including finding acceptable mechanisms of financing in local currencies.
BRICS+ has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a strong and effective Global Financial Safety Net with a quota-based and adequately resourced IMF at its centre. On G20, BRICS+ recognized the importance of the continued and productive functioning of the G20, based on consensus with a focus on result-oriented outcomes. In other words, both would play complimentary role in the global economy, and appreciating efforts with a focus on development trends in the Global South.
South Africa Driving Development Goals
In accepting G20 chairmanship early December in Cape Town, South Africa explicitly indicated a number of practical ways forward in consolidating G20 on the world stage as it strives to gain additional significant momentum in 2025.
South Africa, however, insisted that G20’s relations have to be compatible with development gaols of the Global South. The main argument here is that the G20 comprises many of the world’s largest developing and developed economies. Therefore, G20 has to play a critical role in influencing policies and foster economic stability to have a direct impact on the lives of all members of the global community.
It has a wide agenda that now includes trade sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, the environment, climate change and anti-corruption. These agenda initiatives are not only to drive economic progress but also to accelerate and support long-term investment opportunities across the continents especially in Africa.
The outlook for global economic growth remains unpredictable, and many economies carry the burden of unsustainable levels of debt. Geopolitical instability, conflict and war are causing further hardship and suffering. Across the world, billions of people are affected by under-development, inequality, poverty, hunger and unemployment.
Strengthening Economic Partnership
Working together with G20 members and building partnerships across society is one the surest pathways to confront the development challenges. Exploring the development pathways, without any geopolitical discrimination but with caution, to achieve more rapid, inclusive and economic growth for future generations.
The G20 provides us with a platform to pursue these collective goals. South Africa has adopted the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ for its G20 Presidency. Through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people at the greatest risk of being left behind.
Under South Africa’s leadership, the G20 leaders have to work seriously with African Union and European Union, through this year, until its final summit which will take place in Johannesburg in November 2025. South Africa’s presidency, for the first time an African country has presided over the G20, in line with above-mentioned theme, there is the necessity to strengthen and advance consistent efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Africa’s Noticeable Challenges
Until today, Africa faces multitude of challenges. The continent, comprising 55 States, was declared as politically independent in 1963 and yet is confronted with challenges of an excellent model of governance and exemplary leadership. Basic tenets of transfers as stipulated within framework of constitutions are usually marked by conflicts, opposition groups are frequently banned from operating in the country.
This is further simply compounded by economic under-development which impact heavily on living standards of majority of the population across the Africa. Despite huge untapped natural resources, tackling the economy requires finances which many African countries lack primarily due to inability to design national priority actions. Urban-rural development disparities have taken its characteristic shape in many geographic parts of Africa.
The local African, multilateral financial institutions, development banks and the private sector need to scale up, with a fairer and appropriate lending conditions to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.
In fact, Africa still needs more investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education and finance for sustaining many other development needs, and as well as to consider extending debt relief to developing economies. These are challenges for G20 and BRICS+ to champion their critical positions as engines for growth and development in Africa, and Global South.
In 2025, there is unshakeable (amplified) hope that both South Africa’s G20 directorship and Brazil’s BRICS+ chairmanship, focus would be on pursuing remarkable progress on cross-cutting development issues throughout Africa and across Global South.
Logical Expectations
In this fast-changing landscape characterized by forging new alliances, the practical implementation of the Russia’s initiatives, against the backdrop of escalated tensions, fostering cooperation not confrontation, will rather help effectively in addressing challenges. One more significant point is that there may be important linkages emerging between BRICS+ and G20. Undoubtedly, Brazil in 2025 is likely to base its priorities on some of the themes that were pursued in 2024 during its chairmanship in G20.
BRICS and G20, critical over global political developments and economic growth, but both could complement efforts as partners in tackling existing challenges, coordinate approaches and strategies. Particularly, Africa, as part of the developing Global South, has increasingly become the subject of deliberations at high-level summits and conferences, noting that more 60% of its population still wallow in abject poverty.
Understanding the puzzling paradox that Africa has huge untapped natural resources and adequate human capital to engage in development. Often asked rhetorical question why ‘the Asian tigers’ developed while ‘the African lions’ declined these past several years. South Africa, as the current G20 president, has to set the platform this 2025 for practical dialogue at G20, which includes BRICS members, to adopt collective towards Africa’s development goals including those in energy, industrialization, infrastructure and agriculture.
Logical Conclusion
As we mark the end of this first quarter century in 2025, it behoves on individual leaders, states and their stakeholders to act rather than engage in persistent criticisms and trading geopolitical rhetoric. On one hand, BRICS+ bloc is rapidly evolving as an alternative platform for global cooperation. For substantive continuity, BRICS+ apparently has to ensure that the initiatives raised during Russia’s presidency, and previous summits, members and the “partner states” maintain unwavering commitment towards their realization.
But on the other hand, G20 has to readjust and adapt its collective approach towards diverse perspectives, reform its models of operations to compliment and support development initiatives of the Global South. While appreciating in the final summary that G20 and BRICS+ platforms are created for driving global development and expected optimal economic growth, and further to engage in tackling challenges in order to register visible impact, it is highly necessary to emphasize the importance of trust and collaboration.
Moreover, the geopolitical implications are already known. But this, as a whole, becomes ultimately the greatest interest in their current deliberations. It is really a defining moment for Africa, and in general, for the Global South. Both G20 and BRICS+ have to subsequently demonstrate strategic steps in actualizing the aspirations as we move forward into the future.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Africa’s startup ecosystem showed tentative signs of recovery in April 2026, with deal activity picking up after a subdued March, though funding volumes remained weak by recent standards, Business Post gathered from the latest data by Africa: The Big Deal.
In the review month, a total of 32 startups across the continent announced funding rounds of at least $100,000, raising a combined $110 million through a mix of equity, debt and grant deals, excluding exits. The figure represents a notable rebound from the 22 deals recorded in March, suggesting renewed investor engagement after a slow start to the second quarter.
However, the recovery in deal count did not translate into stronger capital inflows. April’s $110 million total marks the lowest monthly funding volume since March 2025, when startups raised $52 million, and falls significantly short of the previous 12-month average of $275 million per month.
The data highlights a growing divergence between investor activity and cheque sizes, with more deals being completed but at smaller ticket values.
The data showed that, despite this, looking at the numbers on a month-to-month basis does not tell the whole story of venture funding cycles as a broader 12-month rolling view presents a more stable picture of Africa’s startup ecosystem.
Based on this, over the 12 months to April 2026 (May 2025–April 2026), startups across the continent raised a total of $3.1 billion, excluding exits – largely in line with the range observed since August 2025. The figure has hovered around $3.1 billion, with only marginal deviations of about $90 million, indicating relative stability despite recent monthly dips.
A closer breakdown shows that equity financing accounted for $1.7 billion of the total, while debt funding contributed $1.4 billion, alongside approximately $30 million in grants. This composition underscores the growing role of debt in sustaining overall funding levels.
The data suggests that while headline monthly figures may point to short-term weakness, the broader funding environment remains resilient, supported in large part by continued activity in debt financing, even as equity investments show signs of moderation.
The report said if April’s total amount was lower than March’s overall, it was higher on equity: $74 million came as equity and $36 million as debt, while March had been overwhelmingly debt-led ($55 million equity, $96 million debt).
In the review month, the deals announced include Egyptian fintech Lucky raising a $23 million Series B, while Gozem ($15.2 million debt) and Victory Farms ($15 milliomn debt) did most of the heavy lifting on the debt side. Ethiopia-based electric mobility start-up Dodai announced $13m ($8m Series A + $5m debt).
April also saw two exits as Nigeria’s Bread Africa was acquired by SMC DAO as consolidation continues in the country’s digital asset sector, and Egypt’s waste recycling start-up Cyclex was acquired by Saudi-Egyptian investment firm Edafa Venture.
Year-to-Date (January to April), startups on the continent have raised a total of $708 million across 124 deals of at least $100,000, excluding exits. The funding mix was almost evenly split, with $364 million in equity (51.4 per cent) and $340 million in debt (48.0 per cent), alongside a small contribution from grants (0.6 per cent). This is an early sign that funding startups is taking a different shape compared to what the ecosystem witnessed in 2025.
For instance, in the first four months of last year, startups raised a higher $813 million across a significantly larger 180 deals. More notably, last year’s funding was heavily skewed toward equity, which accounted for $652 million (80.1 per cent) compared to just $138 million in debt (16.9 per cent).
The year-on-year comparison points to two clear trends: a contraction in deal activity as evidenced by a 31 per cent drop, and a 13 per cent decline in total funding. At the same time, the composition of capital has shifted meaningfully, with debt now playing a much larger role in sustaining funding volumes.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to complain about xenophobic attacks against its citizens, weeks after a similar complaint was lodged by Ghana.
The ministry called the meeting to convey “profound concern regarding recent events that have the potential to impact the established cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa,” it said in a statement posted on X on Monday.
It noted that the country is aware of the growing discontent among Nigerians concerning the treatment of their nationals in South Africa, but implored calm while it plans to repatriate those willing to return home voluntarily, amid growing fears that recent attacks on foreigners there could escalate.
Foreign Minister, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said 130 applicants had already registered for the exercise, adding that the number was expected to rise.
She expressed President Bola Tinubu’s concern about the attacks in the southern African nation, and condemned the violence against foreign nationals and demonstrations characterised by “xenophobic rhetoric, hate speeches and incendiary anti-migrant statements”.
“Nigerian lives and businesses in South Africa must not continue to be put at risk, and we remain committed to working to explore with South Africa ways to put an end to this,” she said.
She cited the killing of two Nigerians in separate incidents involving local security personnel, insisting that her government was demanding justice.
She said the Nigerian president’s priority was for the safety of citizens and “consequently, arrangements are currently underway to collate details of Nigerians in South Africa for voluntary repatriation flights for those seeking assistance to return home”.
According to reports, four Ethiopian nationals have also been killed in recent weeks, while there have been attacks on citizens of other African countries.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks but also cautioned foreigners to respect local laws.
He used his Freedom Day address last week – marking the country’s first democratic elections in 1994 – to remind South Africans of the support other African nations had given in the struggle against the racist system of apartheid.
However, anti-immigrant groups in South Africa have accused foreigners of being in the country illegally, taking jobs from locals and having links to crime, especially drug trafficking.
They have also reportedly been stopping people outside hospitals and schools, demanding to see their identity papers.
Last month, Ghana summoned South Africa’s top envoy after a video was widely shared showing a Ghanaian man being challenged to prove he had the correct immigration papers.
Anti-immigrant sentiment rose earlier this year after reports that the head of the Nigerian community in the port city of KuGompo (formerly East London) had been installed in a traditional role often translated as “king”. Some South Africans in the local area saw this as an attempt to grab political power and kicked against it.
South Africa is home to about 2.4 million migrants, just less than 4 per cent of the population, according to official figures. However, many more are thought to be in the country without official authorisation. Most come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which have a history of providing migrant labour to their wealthy neighbour.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Within the heightening of geopolitical tension, the United States is actively building diversified entrepreneurial partnerships with African countries, reviewing and restyling working relations with relevant institutions and adopting new policy frameworks largely based on African-led initiatives. The economic policy architecture concentrates more on bilateral partnerships, but with some variation of investments in infrastructure and exploiting natural resources, while taking into account the needs of individual African countries.
In the context of broadening economic dimensions, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius have agreed to hold the 18th US-Africa Business Summit on July 26-29, 2026.
According to reports, Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius and Ms Florizelle (Florie) Liser, President and CEO of CCA, signed the agreement on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The US-Africa Business Summit is one of the most important business platforms that annually brings together African Heads of State and Government, Ministers, high-level US and African Government Officials, CEOs, and senior executives of the US and African companies to explore investment, trade and commercial opportunities.
The selection of Mauritius as the host country for the 18th US-Africa Business Summit bears testimony to the deep commitment of the country to play a key role in strengthening a mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship between Africa and the United States. Both envision facilitating bilateral trade and building long-term and high-value economic partnerships.
Positioned at the crossroads of Africa and Asia in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is recognised for its political stability, reform-driven economy, strong governance, innovation-friendly policies and high-quality local infrastructure. It offers a strong regulatory framework, a sophisticated financial services sector, and a proven track record as a gateway for investment into Africa. As a dynamic financial and trade hub, Mauritius is an ideal setting for the 2026 US-Africa Business Summit.
With momentum building across both public and private sectors, this Summit provides an excellent opportunity for participants to engage on critical issues impacting the US-Africa trade and investment relationship and strike landmark deals in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agri-business, health, ICT and financial services that will have a high impact on the lives of African and American citizens, enterprises, workers and consumers.
In a thoroughly analytical study, the CCA has broadened its operational focus to the entire Africa, strategically dealing with institutions that matter for implementing its economic policy initiatives. In order to ensure a significant degree of success, CCA is seriously addressing the complex diversities on the continent, explaining to leaders within the political structures the essence of large-scale cooperation.
Florie Liser, President & CEO of CCA, said: “We are delighted to bring the 2026 U.S.-Africa Business Summit to Mauritius, a country known for its strategic location, strong governance, and dynamic business environment. This Summit will provide a critical platform to strengthen U.S.-Africa economic relations, explore investment opportunities, and foster partnerships that will increase two-way trade.”
Liser underlined the fact that high possibility exists for stronger engagement through initiatives that support trade and investment (including renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and continued policy and financing support by key US government agencies including the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Eximbank), Development Finance Corporation (DFC), US Trade and Development Agency, Departments of State and Commerce, US Trade Representative and others.
The Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius, stated: “Mauritius is honoured to host the 2026 US -Africa Business Summit and play a key role in strengthening a mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship between Africa and the United States. Our nation has long been a bridge between Africa and the world, and we are committed to creating an enabling environment that encourages trade, innovation, and inclusive growth. Hosting this prestigious gathering further underscores Mauritius’ role as a hub for investment and partnership in Africa.”
The United States brings a distinct and compelling value proposition to partnerships in Africa, grounded in transparency, high standards, and a long-term commitment to mutually beneficial US-Africa economic and commercial partnerships. In addition, the US companies are known for delivering quality products and services, fostering innovation, and building partnerships that prioritise local value creation, skills transfer, and economic impact. These are not short-term engagements—they are investments designed to support businesses and growth on both sides of the Atlantic.
That means continuing to mobilise capital, support competitive US participation in African markets, and ensure that partnerships are responsive to the priorities of African countries. The role of the Corporate Council on Africa is to help bridge that gap—connecting businesses to opportunities, advocating for policies that enable investment, and ensuring that the US–Africa commercial relationship remains strong, competitive, and mutually beneficial.
The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is the leading US business association focused solely on connecting business interests in Africa. It encourages US-Africa private sector partnerships and advocates for a business climate conducive to long-term investment. Founded in 1993, CCA has been at the forefront of fostering strategic partnerships, promoting investments, and facilitating trade between the United States and the diverse nations of Africa.
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