South Africa, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, has formally assumed the presidency of the G20, becoming the first African nation to take the helm of the influential grouping of the world’s largest economies. The presidency, which commenced on 1 December 2024, was officially launched at an event in Cape Town, where Ramaphosa articulated South Africa’s strategic priorities for the year ahead.
In his address, Ramaphosa underscored the convergence of global challenges, including the escalating climate crisis, persistent inequality, entrenched poverty, stagnating global economic growth, and geopolitical instability. He emphasised South Africa’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, advancing global justice, eradicating hunger, and confronting climate change to secure a sustainable future. The presidency’s guiding theme, “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” reflects these ambitions.
Ramaphosa pledged to leverage South Africa’s leadership to amplify the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South within the G20 framework. He identified key focus areas, including disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income nations, financing just energy transitions, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive development. He also announced the establishment of task forces dedicated to inclusive economic growth, food security, and the governance of artificial intelligence and innovation for sustainable development.
While emphasising South Africa’s role as a bridge between developed and developing nations, Ramaphosa stressed the importance of preserving the G20’s core functions. He reaffirmed that the forum would not supplant existing international institutions, such as the United Nations, but would instead serve as a complementary platform to address global economic and financial challenges. In this context, South Africa has resolved not to create new working groups or permanent structures during its presidency.
The culmination of South Africa’s G20 presidency will be the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, where world leaders are expected to adopt a declaration outlining coordinated measures to tackle pressing global issues. Ramaphosa highlighted the opportunity the presidency presents to showcase South Africa’s capabilities, with over 130 meetings planned and tens of thousands of participants from nearly 30 countries and over 20 international organisations anticipated.
In concluding his address, Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable global order, pledging that the country’s leadership would ensure no one is left behind. “Through South Africa’s G20 presidency, we will work to build a better Africa and a better world,” he affirmed.
