World
G20 and Africa: Unique Platform for Transformative Economic Partnership
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
The Group of 20 (G20) is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 sovereign countries, the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU). It works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development, through annual meetings of Heads of State and Heads of Government.
The G20 was created in 1999 in response to several world economic crises, and South Africa has been the only African member in the Group. However, in September 2023, at the 18th G20 Summit, Indian PM Narendra Modi announced that the African Union (AU) has been included as a member of the G20, making it the 21st member of the intergovernmental forum. South Africa will take over the G20 presidency in 2025.
In mid-December 2024, Brand South Africa’s General Manager Lefentse Nokaneng, discussed in this insightful interview, the significance of the G20 forum, the multifaceted prospects and unique opportunities G20 could offer Africa. Here are the interview excerpts:
What are the aspirations, as South Africa prepares to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil, for Africa?
As South Africa prepares to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil in 2025, our aspirations for Africa have always been clear and compelling. As a founding member of the G20, South Africa has played a pivotal role in advocating for Africa’s inclusion within this influential multilateral forum.
Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainable Development,” South Africa’s presidency presents a significant opportunity to advance crucial reforms in the global governance system, ensuring that it is more representative of and responsive to the developmental needs of Africa and the Global South. To this, by focusing on reforms to the multilateral trading system and the global financial architecture, we aim to effectively address the pressing challenges of underdevelopment and transform the fortunes of the most vulnerable communities, many of whom reside in Africa.
As the leading economy on the continent, South Africa is deeply committed to unlocking Africa’s vast potential and fostering inclusive growth through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). We envision a G20 agenda that not only amplifies Africa’s voice but also drives collaborative efforts toward sustainable development aligned with the aspirations of the Pact for the Future and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This vision aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to realize “The Africa We Want,” ultimately improving the lives of all Africans.
But generally, how has Africa, as a continent, so far benefited from G20, and what concretely can we underscore as remarkable achievements?
The inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 can be underscored as a key achievement for the continent, providing a crucial platform for African nations to have a voice and to engage directly with major economic powers on key issues, that affect them, such as debt relief, security, infrastructure development, pandemics, and climate change. Prior to the AU’s membership, South Africa was the only African representative in the G20, which limited the continent’s ability to influence discussions on issues affecting its nations.
Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, with the G20 providing a crucial platform to address pressing development challenges and unlock immense growth potential through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The African Development Bank highlights a significant $70 to $100 billion deficit in infrastructure investment across the continent, underscoring the need for a substantial 6% of GDP investment to achieve growth rates of 3% to 3.5%, well above the current global average. Collaborating with G20 partners offers Africa the opportunity to mobilize essential resources and expertise to bridge this gap.
Central to this effort is the reform of the international financial architecture to create equitable opportunities for Africa to harness its vast potential. By embracing innovative financing mechanisms, the continent can effectively address critical infrastructure gaps, unlocking pathways to inclusive and sustainable development. It is also vital to advocate for fair climate policies that recognize the diverse developmental stages of African economies, ensuring that measures such as carbon taxes do not disproportionately impact emerging nations.
To this end, investments in Africa’s energy transition are crucial. Notably, Germany, under the G20 Compact with Africa Initiative, has unveiled a R76-billion investment package aimed at facilitating Africa’s green energy transition by 2030. Furthermore, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is a vital component of the Paris Agreement, setting a new financial target to support developing countries in their climate actions post-2025. By building on the $100 billion target established in 2009, the NCQG seeks to address persistent gaps in climate finance and provides a more ambitious and realistic framework for sustainable development.
For Africa, the commitment of developed nations to these climate goals is integral to achieving success. By ensuring adequate financing and support, Africa can not only meet its climate objectives but also harness its natural resources for sustainable growth. These initiatives highlight the importance of G20’s commitments to fostering international partnerships that drive meaningful change for Africa’s development.
And now, within the context of geopolitical changes, what else can we expect from G20 as South Africa takes over from Brazil?
As South Africa prepares to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil, it will continue its commitment to being a responsible global citizen, particularly considering ongoing geopolitical changes. During its presidency, South Africa will amplify its advocacy for peaceful conflict resolution and the promotion of democratic principles and human rights on the international stage. This commitment is grounded in a foreign policy that emphasizes neutrality, respect for mediation, and the critical importance of peace.
Leveraging its leadership within the G20, South Africa aims to navigate and address pressing geopolitical tensions by fostering constructive dialogue among nations. It seeks to promote collaborative approaches that prioritize diplomacy and multilateralism, ensuring that diverse perspectives are acknowledged and that solutions are inclusive. In this way, South Africa will play a pivotal role in shaping a more stable and peaceful global environment.
South Africa has consistently been advocating for, both structural and operational, reforms at the multinational institutions, what about putting first the internal order at the African Union (AU)?
Advocating for reforms at multinational institutions and strengthening the internal order of the African Union (AU) are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are complementary efforts essential for effective continental and global governance, particularly in a fractured geopolitical landscape. Enhancing the AU’s governance and operational frameworks is crucial to addressing Africa’s pressing challenges, which the AU has prioritized and encapsulated in its Agenda 2063. Enhancing the AU’s governance and operational frameworks is crucial to addressing Africa’s pressing challenges, which the AU has prioritized and encapsulated in its Agenda 2063. Simultaneous engagement with global governance structures is necessary to ensure that they advance critical reforms, making the global governance system more representative of and responsive to the developmental needs of Africa and the Global South.
The AU’s commitment to good governance has been a priority for many years and is prominently featured in its Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. This strategic framework outlines the AU’s vision for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse and emphasizes good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law among its seven aspirations. According to the 2022 IIAG report, more than half of Africa’s population now resides in countries where overall governance has improved, reflecting the positive impact of these efforts.
As South Africa assumes the G20 presidency as a member of the AU and the Global South, it is uniquely positioned to drive the development agenda for both Africa and the Global South while advocating for essential reforms in global governance. This focus aims to address the pressing need for more inclusive and effective multilateralism that better represents the interests and aspirations of developing nations.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
The Arab Republic of Egypt, a country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia, has a highly strategic location and attracts multifaceted interests of foreign players. For decades, Russia has established diplomatic relations with Egypt and has consistently sustained diverse ties with this country. It is no secret that Russia’s lust for the region is primarily due to the strategic importance of the Mediterranean Sea for investment and economic cooperation with the Maghreb region.
Determined to strengthen, particularly, economic cooperation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained regular contacts with his colleague, President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, mostly discussing both bilateral cooperation and broader regional developments. The current world’s geopolitical development, for instance, the United States-Israeli war on Iran in the Middle East, constitutes one theme both leaders frequently review, attempting to find long-term solutions.
On April 2, Putin met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty, in the Kremlin – the seat of Russia’s presidency. In attendance during the official talks on the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, while Egypt was represented by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation Hamdy Shaaban. Ultimately, there is no need to overstate the importance of this meeting.
Russia’s footprints are expanding in Egypt, highlighting the growing industrial investment and the strengthening of bilateral manufacturing ties by undertaking projects to ensure energy security. At the same time, maintaining regular dialogue remains very important for both leaders.
Putin, speaking with the three-member delegation in the Kremlin, underlined the fact that there are many promising initiatives underway, many of which are already being implemented. He has previously spoken in detail about the construction of a nuclear power plant and the construction of an industrial zone, and over ten major Russian companies have expressed interest in participating in this project.
Nuclear Plants in El-Dabaa, Egypt
The construction of nuclear plants in the city of El-Dabaa, about 320 kilometres northwest of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. It is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt, and will have four VVER-1200 reactors, making Egypt the only country in the region to have a Generation III+ reactor. On November 19, 2015, Egypt and Russia signed an initial agreement, under which Russia agreed to build and finance Egypt’s first nuclear power plant. These are now being carried out, not as a charity project, but with a loan of $28 billion. According to reports, Russia will finance 85% as a state loan of $25 billion, and Egypt will provide the remaining 15% in the form of instalments. The Russian loan has a repayment period of 22 years, with an annual interest rate of 3%.
At the meeting, Putin also raised the construction of an industrial zone in Egypt. There are many appealing and related opportunities in this, regarding having an industrial zone to be located on the banks of the Suez Canal. The industrial zone is also entering a new phase, as Russian auto-manufacturing enterprises are advancing distinctive plans to expand local vehicle production, reinforcing the country’s role as a regional manufacturing hub. The move reflects broader economic linkages between Russia and Africa, particularly in industrial development and supply chain integration.
Conveying Greetings and Reviewing the Middle East Situation
Naturally, the situation in the region remains a shared concern, according to Putin, and further hope that the ongoing conflict will be promptly resolved. “As you know, President Trump also addressed this issue yesterday. Let me reiterate that we are prepared to make every effort to help stabilise the situation and, as they say in such cases, return it to normal,” he stressed during the meeting. In this context, it is particularly important to know Egypt’s assessment as a key country in the Middle East.
Putin reminded the delegation of another Russia-Africa summit, which is planned for October 2026. With high hopes that Egypt will be represented by a strong, high-level delegation. Should the Egyptian President’s schedule allow, he would, of course, ahead of the summit, be very pleased to welcome him to Moscow. Jointly chaired by Vladimir Putin and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the first Russia-Africa summit, an important acute phase of the developments with Africa, under the motto of ‘For Peace, Security and Development’, was held for the first time in October 2019, in Sochi, a city located on the Black Sea coast. The idea to hold a Russia-Africa forum was initiated by President Putin at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Johannesburg in July 2018.
The head of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, as traditionally expected, conveyed greetings from President El-Sisi to the Russian president and handed over a written message. President el-Sisi places great value on all aspects of the bilateral cooperation, and is extremely grateful for constructive collaboration on the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, which represents a key milestone in the partnership. Despite the challenges, it is evident that the project is moving forward and will be completed by 2028.
In summary, as Egypt and Russia are reliable and time-tested partners, Putin plans to promote strategic projects, particularly in trade, economics, energy, and food security. With over 107 million inhabitants, Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, the third-most populous country in Africa, and the 15th-most populous in the world.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
In an interview, Senator Mushahid Hussain, President of Pakistan-Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDR), explicitly offers a few important insights into the US-Israeli war on Iran and its implications for BRICS+ and Africa. Here are the interview excerpts:
What’s your interpretation of the US-Israel war on Iran, in the context of developments in the Middle East region?
The US-Israel illegal and unwarranted war on Iran was spearheaded by [Benjamin] Netanyahu (Prime Minister of Israel) and actively supported by [Donald] Trump (President of USA) as a Joint Operation with three fundamental goals: a) decimate the Islamic Revolutionary Regime; b) reshape the Middle East as part of Zionism’s ‘Greater Israel’ Project; c) preclude any possibility of establishing a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital.
What is your assessment of Iran’s joining BRICS+ in 2025, China’s and Russia’s roles as members of this association, in this US-Israel war with Iran?
China and Russia have played, by and large, a low-key diplomatic role in supporting Iran but without any active political initiatives. BRICS is divided from within, as India is keen to curry favour with the USA and avoids close association with BRICS since the time that Trump attacked BRICS last year. But China & Russia are clear political beneficiaries of the war as American prestige is at an all-time low, having got entangled in an unwinnable war, resulting in weakening of the US ‘sole superpower’ image.
As an Asian expert, how would you characterise Africa’s reactions? And do you think that reactions were objectively authentic, basing perspectives broadly on Arab and Middle East contributions to Africa’s development?
Africa’s reactions to the war are primarily through the prism of the Global South, viewing Iran as resisting American-Israeli hegemonic designs, as, for example, manifested in two examples: South Africa’s rejection of American pressures to wean South Africa away from its support for Iran. Plus, Somalia joined Pakistan and China in supporting the Russian resolution in the UN Security Council seeking an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to halt the War, despite strident Western/US opposition to the Russian resolution.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said the global trading system is experiencing the worst disruptions in the past 80 years.
The trade body chief warned about the consequences as the WTO ministerial conference opened Thursday in Cameroon.
“The world order and the multilateral system we know has irrevocably changed,” she said, adding: “We cannot deny the scale of the problems confronting the world today.”
The organisation’s 166 members appear deeply divided as trade ministers gather in the Cameroonian capital for the WTO’s top conference, amid global economic turmoil linked to the Middle East war.
Over four days in Yaounde, WTO members will try to revitalise an institution weakened by geopolitical tensions, stalled negotiations, and rising protectionism — against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to international trade.
“The scale of the problems confronting the world today, even before the conflict in the Gulf, destabilised trade in energy, fertiliser and food,” Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said.
“National governments and international institutions alike have been struggling to navigate rising geopolitical tensions, intensifying climate pressures, and rapid technological change.
“Accompanying these shifts has been an increasingly loud questioning of multilateralism,” she added.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said these disruptions were just one symptom of broader upheavals shaking the international order created after World War II to prevent a repeat of the disasters of the first half of the 20th century.
“It feels appropriate that at the moment when the world is in turmoil with conflict in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and elsewhere, at this time of great disruption and uncertainty, we have gathered in Africa to discuss the road ahead for the global trading system,” she said.
“Africa is the continent of the future.”
WTO ministerial conferences are typically held every two years. The current edition in Yaounde is the second to be held in Africa, after Nairobi (Kenya) in 2015.
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