A Unique Opportunity Amid Geopolitical Challenges
South Africa has officially assumed the chair of the G20 in December 2024, marking a historic moment as the last remaining member to hold the presidency. The G20, formed in 1999, is a crucial forum of 19 global economies plus the European Union that drives major international decisions on trade, climate, health, and economic growth. As the chair for 2025, South Africa has the unprecedented opportunity to shape global policies, with a particular focus on Africa’s economic challenges and aspirations.
This post explores South Africa’s ambitious agenda as the host of the G20, the geopolitical hurdles it faces, and how the country plans to navigate the complex global landscape.
South Africa’s Role as the First African G20 Chair
South Africa’s G20 presidency is more than just a symbolic milestone; it is an opportunity for the country to assert its leadership on global issues. Hosting the G20 for the first time on African soil in Johannesburg in November 2025 is expected to bring crucial attention to Africa’s issues on the global stage.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signaled a commitment to continuing the work of previous G20 presidencies while introducing African priorities. As Elizabeth Sidiropoulos from the South African Institute of International Affairs highlights, “While this is a first African presidency, it builds on the priorities set by Indonesia, India, and Brazil.” South Africa intends to weave these global priorities into a unique “African flavour” to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard at the highest level.
Key Priorities for South Africa’s G20 Presidency
1. Tackling Climate Change
Climate change remains one of South Africa’s central focuses during its presidency. The country is already grappling with the consequences of climate change, including widespread poverty and unsustainable levels of debt, which are exacerbated by environmental factors.
Ramaphosa emphasised in December 2024, “The climate change crisis is worsening,” noting how billions of people across the globe, particularly in Africa, suffer from the impacts of underdevelopment and inequality. South Africa will push for green technologies and climate justice, ensuring that economic development doesn’t come at the expense of the planet.
2. Africa’s Economic Transformation
A cornerstone of South Africa’s agenda is using the G20 presidency to bolster Africa’s economic development. The continent is rich in critical minerals such as cobalt, platinum, and gold, which are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and electronics.
South Africa plans to leverage its presidency to push for fairer global trading relationships, focusing on the development of critical minerals as an economic engine for African growth. South African mines, especially in platinum and chrome, have the potential to drive this transformation.
Melanie Müller from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs noted that African countries now have more power to choose their trading partners, moving beyond dependence on China for resources. This is expected to result in better deals and trade terms for African nations.
3. Addressing Debt and Global Inequality
Debt remains a significant issue for many African nations, with several countries struggling to manage loans from international creditors. The G20 presidency will provide South Africa a platform to advocate for debt relief and financial reforms that benefit the Global South.
The country’s agenda will also focus on global economic inequality, advocating for a fairer distribution of resources and economic opportunities to mitigate poverty and unemployment.
Geopolitical Challenges: South Africa’s Diplomatic Tightrope Walk
While the G20 presidency is an incredible opportunity, South Africa will face considerable diplomatic and geopolitical challenges. One of the most significant hurdles is navigating the geopolitical tensions that have marked the past few years.
1. Balancing Relations with Russia
One of the thorniest issues for South Africa’s G20 presidency will be dealing with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. South Africa has maintained relatively cordial ties with Russia, which has caused tension with Western nations. As an influential member of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), South Africa’s stance on this conflict will be under close scrutiny.
Despite calls from the West to condemn Russia’s actions, President Ramaphosa has resisted taking a firm stance. This diplomatic balancing act will be critical in ensuring that South Africa can foster cooperation within the G20 while keeping its relations intact with Russia and other developing nations.
2. Global Economic Uncertainty
The global economy remains fragile, with various uncertainties arising from trade wars, political instability, and financial instability. The US-China trade war and the recent announcement by President-elect Donald Trump to impose tariffs on China and the BRICS countries add to the complexity of South Africa’s diplomatic strategy.
South Africa will also need to navigate a potential US withdrawal from international agreements. As the US moves into a new phase of leadership under Trump, the geopolitical and economic dynamics may shift, requiring South Africa to rethink its strategies for global cooperation.
3. African Union’s Role
South Africa’s presidency will also coincide with the increasing influence of the African Union (AU) within the G20. In 2023, the G20 granted the AU full membership, a move that enhances Africa’s voice in global policy discussions. South Africa’s G20 presidency will be an opportunity to advocate for more inclusive global governance that considers the interests of developing nations.
Key to Success: Building Consensus Amid Tensions
For South Africa, the challenge is to forge consensus among the 20 diverse economies that make up the G20. While the goals of promoting climate action, debt relief, and equitable growth are widely shared, achieving consensus on issues such as the Ukraine conflict or international trade rules will be a complex task.
As noted by Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, South Africa’s diplomatic experience will be crucial. “It’s about building consensus and weaving the narrative around priorities in such a way that individual blocs in the G20 are brought together, rather than lost along the way.”
The Road Ahead: Will South Africa’s G20 Presidency Succeed?
Given the geopolitical landscape and the economic challenges facing many G20 members, South Africa’s success in chairing the group will hinge on its ability to manage geopolitical tensions while pushing for reforms that benefit developing economies.
It remains to be seen how South Africa will navigate the challenges posed by Donald Trump’s presidency and his trade policies, as well as tensions in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing actions. However, Ramaphosa’s leadership and the country’s diplomatic efforts to build bridges will determine how effectively the G20 can address the pressing issues of climate change, global inequality, and Africa’s economic transformation.
Conclusion
South Africa’s G20 presidency is a pivotal moment for both the nation and the African continent. It is a chance to address global issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and debt, while advocating for Africa’s development on the world stage. South Africa’s ability to balance geopolitical tensions, drive consensus, and stay true to its priorities will define the success of this historic G20 presidency.
Relevant Links for Further Reading
- South Africa G20 Presidency 2025 (G20 Official Website)
- Geopolitical Impact of South Africa’s Diplomacy (South African Institute of International Affairs)
- South Africa’s Economic Priorities (South African Government)
Photo credit: Central News
