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Leaders from the world’s major economies are set to convene in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November for the G20 summit, marking the event’s debut on the African continent.
Here are five essential things to know about this annual gathering, which occurs against a backdrop of heightened global instability and strained relations between Pretoria and Washington.
Africa’s First
Established in 1999, the Group of 20 (G20) comprises 19 individual nations alongside two regional bodies: the European Union and the African Union (AU).
South Africa holds the rotating presidency this year, signifying the first time the summit will take place in Africa. Collectively, the G20 members account for 85 per cent of global GDP and approximately two-thirds of the world’s population.
While the AU was admitted as a collective group in 2023, South Africa remains the continent’s sole individual member state.
‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’
For its G20 presidency, South Africa has outlined priorities that include bolstering disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income nations, financing a “just energy transition”, and utilising “critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development”.
The summit operates under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
Recognised by the World Bank as “the world’s most unequal country”, South Africa commissioned a team of experts to examine global wealth disparity and propose solutions to the summit. The group, led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, advocated for the creation of an intergovernmental panel to address the “inequality emergency” that leaves 2.3 billion people hungry worldwide.
US Boycott
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced that no US officials would attend the meeting, branding South Africa’s presidency a “total disgrace”.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has targeted South Africa regarding several matters, most notably issuing false claims of a “white genocide”. He has imposed 30 per cent tariffs on the country—the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa.
Although a US boycott threatens to undermine the agenda, Pretoria maintains the absence is Washington’s “loss” and states it is still looking forward to a successful summit.
Argentine President Javier Milei, a close ally of Trump, will not attend and is dispatching his foreign minister instead. Consistent with previous meetings, Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be absent.
Focus on Johannesburg
The G20 leaders’ meeting will be hosted at the Nasrec Expo Centre, the country’s largest purpose-built conference venue.
Situated on the periphery of the iconic Soweto township and selected as a symbol of post-apartheid “spatial integration”, the venue regularly hosts major events, such as the ruling African National Congress annual convention. It sits adjacent to the stadium that staged the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.
The event shines a light on the plight of a city established during a gold rush in the late 1880s, which is now home to approximately six million people, according to official July estimates.
Despite housing Africa’s wealthiest square mile, Johannesburg is scarred by crumbling infrastructure, a lack of services, and chronic mismanagement. President Cyril Ramaphosa lashed out at this disrepair in March and demanded improvements. Consequently, the African Development Bank approved a $139 million loan for upgrades in July.
End of a ‘Global South’ run
South Africa will hand the G20 baton to the United States, concluding a cycle of “Global South” presidencies that followed those of Brazil, India, and Indonesia.
Trump has stated he plans to radically reduce the platform, which has expanded over the years to encompass multiple working groups and social issues beyond its original financial scope.
The US president has also questioned whether South Africa should “even be in the Gs any more”, raising significant questions regarding the G20’s future.
